PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Several new laws go into effect in Virginia on July 1.
New Virginia laws taking effect July 2024
Minimum Marriage Age
Virginia is the first state in the south to ban child marriage. You must be at least 18-years-old to marry, regardless on if you are emancipated from parents or guardians.
Ending child marriage among many Virginia laws going into effect July 1
Lucia’s Law
One new regulation is called “Lucia’s Law.” It’s named after 13-year-old Lucia Bremer of Henrico County. She was shot and killed by a 14-year-old boy who had documented mental health issues.
The law would punish a parent or guardian for leaving their gun around a child if that child is believed to cause danger to themselves or others.
“I think it’s we need that type of law because of the irresponsibility of parents these days leaving firearms unattended,” said Christopher Moore, an anti-gun violence advocate. “You know, just, you know, leaving unattended. So I think those things are needed, you know, concerning as a problem we got in our community, we got to hit them at every angle.”
For the past seven years, Moore has run the organization Bagz4DaKidz since 2018. The group plans community events to promote positivity and lower violence.
Moore reacted to the punishment for Lucia’s law which is a Class 5 felony that could be up to 10 years in prison.
“You need to be responsible,” Moore said. “You got to keep your eyes on you for your children.”
Naloxone in State Agencies
Another law, requires state agencies to have naloxone or other opioid-fighting drugs.
“I think that’s a great idea, especially considering that we have so many, we have such a huge problem with opiate overdoses in this area, as well as across the state,” said Kelly Craven. “I think that any time that we are out helping people. You never know who you could walk into or find yourself in a situation where you’re going to need that.”
Craven is the executive director for Avenues Recovery in Norfolk. The addiction treatment center in Norfolk opened its doors in June. It currently serves 10 patients, but has the capacity to serve 80.
Craven said Naloxone is easily accessible on each floor on the facility.
“I think that it opens up the conversation for everyone to be very mindful of what we have going on in our community right now, and people having those resources are able to help other people,” she said.
Interstate Speed Limit
Another bill allows localities to make the speed limit as low as 15 mph within the state highway system.
Bathroom Access
Businesses that do not have a customer bathroom, will be required to allow customers with certain medical conditions to use employee bathrooms. That could be customers with Crohn’s disease or who are pregnant.
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