Commission on Youth Workgroup Meets

The Crossover Youth Information Sharing Workgroup, a special committee established by the Virginia Commission on Youth, met this morning and heard presentations from experts in the juvenile justice system. The Virginia Commission on Youth is chaired by Senator Dave Marsden (D- Fairfax) and represents a legislative response to a two-year study examining the issues related to services to chronic status offenders. Virginia Code directs the Commission "to study and provide recommendations addressing the needs of and services to the Commonwealth's youth and families." Enacted in 1989, the Commission began operations in 1991.

During the 2021 session of the Virginia General Assembly, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 1206 (Barker) directing the Commission on Youth to convene a work group to include representatives from the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the Department of Education, youth and families with lived experience in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems, representatives of Virginia juvenile justice advocacy groups, representatives of local public defender offices, and representatives from other relevant state or local entities. The work group shall review current data and record sharing provisions with regard to youth served by the juvenile justice and child welfare systems and make recommendations on best practices for the sharing, collection, and use of such data and records while respecting the privacy interests of youth and families. The work group shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and the House Committee for Courts of Justice by November 1, 2021.

To review the proceedings of the meeting, click here.

House Appropriations Committee Hears Department Briefings

The Virginia House of Delegates Appropriations Committee met today to receive briefings from selected department and agency representatives. When the legislature is not in session, the committee meets at selected times and hears from invited guests on a number of topics related to its work around the Commonwealth's budget. To view the agenda from today's meeting please click here.

Members of the committee were briefed by The Honorable Aubrey L. Layne, Secretary of Finance, on the current state of collected revenue in the Commonwealth for the month of April. In the last month, Layne stated the total General Fund revenues rose 41.9 percent, representing the largest monthly increase in the 21st century. In addition to regular collections of withholding and sales taxes, final payments for the previous tax year and the first estimated payment for the current tax year are due from corporations on April 15. This is the first revenue report that compares results with last year when the coronavirus pandemic took hold and economic shutdowns began. To view the full report from Secretary Layne, please click here. To view a copy of Secretary Layne's presentation to the committee, please click here.

In addition to the April Revenue Report from Secretary Layne, lawmakers were provided a detailed presentation on PreK-12 school reopening by Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. James Lane. In his presentation, Dr. Lane provided data on learning loss, an overview of where school divisions have spent CARES Act dollars, and plans for distributing monies from the recently passed American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Dr. Lane's presentation to the committee can be viewed here.

FCC Issues Final Rules on the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously adopted final rules to implement the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) Program. The ECF was created through the recent passage of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. This legislation provides $7.17 billion to help students struggling with the Homework Gap, the term that commonly refers to the education digital divide that impacts millions of students who lack adequate internet and broadband connectivity when they are at home or working remotely elsewhere. The ECF will help schools and libraries to purchase laptop and tablet computers, Wi-Fi hotspots, and broadband connectivity to assist students, school staff, and library patrons who need assistance in connecting. The link to the FCC press statement can be accessed here.

docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-372311A1.pdf

FCC Release Information on Emergency Connectivity Fund Program

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released a Fact Sheet, draft Report, and Order for the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Emergency Connectivity Fund Program. You can view details from the FCC by clicking here. 

If you have any questions, please contact VSBA Government Relations Specialist, J.T. Kessler, at jason@vsba.org.