New Laws Effective July 1st, 2025
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JUNE 2025
CONSTITUENTS OF SENATE DISTRICT 5:
 
I hope this newsletter finds you and your families well. As your State
Senator, it is my privilege to keep you informed about important
changes to Virginia law that will impact our communities, as well as
the ongoing efforts to support our district’s needs, particularly in
the wake of recent challenges. 
 
SESSION OVERVIEW:
It was a very busy session. as Chief co-patron of SB 875 I am proud to
say that we were successful in getting it passed. SB 875 will
dramatically improve the cost efficiency and effectiveness of the way
Medicaid recipients receive services and supports local our
pharmacies.  Our farmers will benefit from my bill SB921 which
establishes a grant program to increase the shortage of large animal
veterinarians in the Commonwealth.  I also was Chief Patron for
SB1270 which convenes a VHDA technical group for the protection of
property owners across Virginia.  I also continue to fight the
rising costs of energy for all Virginians. For the 2025 Session our
office was successful in getting over 20 bills passed.
 
NEW LAWS EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025
As of July 1, 2025, several new laws passed during the 2025 General
Assembly session will take effect. I can share that many of the laws
signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin this year focus on improving public
safety, education, maternal health, and economic opportunities across
the Commonwealth. Below is a list of notable legislative changes:

I. PUBLIC SAFETY & TRANSPORTATION
●     SB894 – EMPLOYER LIABILITY FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT OR INJURY
BY EMPLOYEE/AGENT (SEXUAL ASSAULT EMPLOYER ACCOUNTABILITY ACT): This
landmark legislation allows victims to bring civil cases against
employers when sexual assault or other wrongful acts were committed by
an employee or agent of the employer.
●     SB1416 – CARELESS DRIVING; INJURY OR DEATH OF
VULNERABLE ROAD USERS: Strengthens protections for pedestrians,
cyclists, and other vulnerable road users. It removes vague language
and explicitly requires drivers to stop for pedestrians lawfully in a
crosswalk. Penalties are increased if failure to stop results in
injury or death.
●     HB1549 – VEHICLE OPERATION BY UNLICENSED MINORS;
PENALTIES: Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for anyone who knowingly
allows an unlicensed minor to drive a motor vehicle. Penalties are
increased (potentially to a Class 1 misdemeanor with higher fines and
jail time) if the minor is involved in an accident causing injury or
death.
●     SB1175 – THE CHRISTOPHER KING BACKSEAT LAW (SEATBELTS
FOR ALL): Mandates seatbelt use for all vehicle occupants, both in the
front and rear seats.
●     HB2491 - THREATS TO THE PUBLIC – EXPANDED FELONY
STATUTE: Expands the criminal statute for bomb or arson threats to
include threats of discharging a firearm in any place of assembly,
building or other structure, or means of transportation.
●     SB939 - MAIL THEFT (FELONY): New state-level penalties
will go into effect for mail theft, making it easier for state
prosecutors to pursue cases against individuals who knowingly and
illegally take or destroy mail. Previously, this was primarily a
federal offense.

II. EMPLOYMENT & BUSINESS
●     SB1218 - NON-COMPETE BAN FOR NON-EXEMPT EMPLOYEES
(EXPANDED): This is a significant change. Previously, Virginia banned
non-competes only for "low-wage workers." Effective July 1, 2025, the
ban expands to all non-exempt employees under the federal Fair Labor
Standards Act (FLSA), regardless of their earnings. This means
employees eligible for overtime pay cannot be bound by non-compete
agreements. The law also increases civil penalties to $10,000 per
violation and allows claimants to recover attorney's fees and costs.
●     SB1212 – VIRGINIA CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT; MANDATORY
FEES OR SURCHARGES DISCLOSURE: Prohibits suppliers from advertising or
displaying a price for goods or services without clearly and
conspicuously disclosing any mandatory fees or surcharges. This aims
to prevent hidden fees.
●     SB550 - LIQUID NICOTINE AND NICOTINE VAPOR PRODUCT;
CERTIFICATION; PENALTY (§ 59.1-293.16): Manufacturers of liquid
nicotine or nicotine vapor products sold in the Commonwealth must
certify their products with the Attorney General's office by December
31, 2025, and annually thereafter. This includes submitting FDA
marketing authorizations or applications and paying fees ($2,000 per
product for first certification, $500 annually for recertification).
●     HB1844 - BABY FOOD PROTECTION ACT; TESTING AND LABELING
REQUIREMENTS FOR TOXIC HEAVY METALS: Prohibits the sale, distribution,
or offering for sale of baby food products that contain certain toxic
heavy metals exceeding limits established by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA).
●     SB1376 - VIRGINIA CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT; FOOD LABELING:
Prohibits the sale of any food required by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration to have a nutrition label when such food is not labeled
in accordance with federal law.

III. HEALTHCARE & CONSUMER PROTECTION
●     HB1642 – HUMAN OVERSIGHT FOR AI IN JUDICIAL PROCESSES:
This is a groundbreaking state law that mandates human oversight of
artificial intelligence (AI) in judicial processes in Virginia.

IV. EDUCATION & MISCELLANEOUS
●     HB536 - PUBLIC SCHOOLS ANTI-CYBERBULLYING POLICIES:
Public schools must adopt anti-cyberbullying policies that include
guidance on handling incidents outside of school, do not deter victims
from reporting, and include a list of resources for victims.
 
If you have questions about a particular law or its impact, my office
is here to assist you in navigating these changes.
 
SUPPORT FOR FLOOD VICTIMS
In response to the Hurricane Helene and the devastating floods that
have affected Southwest Virginia, including historic flooding in areas
like Grundy and Hurley, and Richlands, I have been working closely
with Delegate Will Morefield and our regional team to bring members of
Governor Glenn Youngkin’s cabinet to our district. Over the next
several weeks, work will continue to educate our communities about
funding opportunities available to flood victims and to streamline the
process for accessing relief. These efforts build on the Governor’s
recent request for an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration to support
recovery from winter storms that caused significant infrastructure
damage and power outages across our region.
 
We are committed to ensuring that affected families, businesses, and
communities receives the support needed to rebuild and recover. Stay
tuned for announcements about these upcoming meetings.
 
Over the past few months, I have been on the road visiting localities
throughout Senate District 5, attending meetings, and listening to
your concerns. My top priority is ensuring that your voices are heard
in Richmond and that your needs are addressed. I am grateful for the
opportunity to serve you and will continue to advocate for policies
that make our communities stronger, safer, and more prosperous.
 
I look forward to seeing you at an event in your area in the near
future. My team and I are working to keep you informed and engaged.
Please contact my office if you have issues with state agencies. 
 
As always, I am here to serve you. If you have questions, concerns, or
ideas about how we can improve our district, please don’t hesitate
to contact me at (276)345-9112 or via email at
[email protected]. 
 
Together, we will continue to build a brighter future for Virginia.
God bless America and our great Commonwealth!

Blessings,

Senator Travis Hackworth
Virginia State Senator, District 5

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