Delegate Mark Levine's HB 1932, which would repeal the “conscience clause” for child placing agencies, reported from the Health, Welfare and Institutions committee with amendments 13-9. SB 1321, introduced by Senator Jennifer Boysko, passed off of the Senate Floor with a 24-13 vote. This bill would allow second parent adoption, which would greatly benefit LGBTQ families. Additionally, HB 1864 introduced by Delegate Marcia Price passed in the House of Delegates 55-44. HB 1864 looks to expand the Virginia Human Rights Act to any person who employs one or more domestic workers. A similar bill introduced by Senator Jennifer McClellan, SB 1310, reported out from the Commerce and Labor committee with a substitution 12-3 and now has been re-referred to the Finance and Appropriations committee. Senator McClellan’s SB 1360 reported out from the General Laws and Technology committee with a substitution 10-1, with three abstentions. It has now been re-referred to the Finance and Appropriations committee. Delegate Vivian Watts’ companion bill (HB 2155) was recommended for reporting from the Professions/Occupations and Administrative Process subcommittee and then reported from the General Laws committee with a substitution 13-9. These bills define sexual and workplace harassment, including sexual orientation and gender identity, and extends the length of ability to file after the incident. SB 1366, introduced by Senator George Barker, has been engrossed by the Senate with a substitution and is preparing for reading on the Senate Floor. Through this bill, the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services would be required to include LGBTQ older Virginians in the category of greatest social need as defined in the Older Americans Act. Thank you for your continued support on the 2021 Equality Agenda. We are seeing major progress with bills so far, but there are still several weeks to go. If you haven’t already, please utilize EV’s Take Action feature to easily contact your legislators and ask them to support the Equality Agenda. To keep up with what bills are being heard next week and learn how you can help transform Virginia’s legal landscape, please follow EV’s Facebook page and check out our website with our 2021 bill tracker. | 
