Virginia House passes wide slate of bills on third reading, including childcare, landlord‑tenant and tech measures

RICHMOND — The Virginia House of Delegates on Feb. 6 moved dozens of bills forward on third reading, passing measures that range from an employee childcare assistance program to changes in landlord‑tenant law and rules for digital assets.

Lawmakers approved House Bill 18, which establishes an employee childcare assistance program, by a recorded vote of 91–7. The House also passed House Bill 653 (excused student absences for immediate family military events) 94–2, and House Bill 798, updating the disposition of unclaimed property to include certain digital assets, 96–2. House Bill 1037, directing the Board of Education to adopt model instructional materials on climate change and environmental literacy, passed 65–33.

“HB 661 is known as the bicycle safety omnibus bill,” Delegate Willett told colleagues when presenting the measure, saying its aim was to improve clarity and safety for people bicycling.

Several bills affecting the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act cleared the chamber after committee amendments and recorded votes, including proposals to expand eviction‑diversion eligibility and to clarify remedies for fire or casualty damage. Lawmakers also completed final passage of House Bill 1053, relating to Go Virginia grants and matching funds, by a recorded vote of 97–1.

Clerk announcements and sponsor remarks described many of the bills as technical or as the result of stakeholder negotiation. For example, sponsors said HB 834 seeks to prevent abrupt displacement following fire or casualty damage by requiring landlords to make reasonable efforts to discuss alternatives with tenants.

After the roll-call votes and routine approvals, leaders announced that the House would recess and that the Appropriations Committee and several subcommittees would meet immediately upon recess on the 12th floor; additional committee meetings and caucus schedules for the coming days were also posted.

What passed: a selected list
- HB 18 — Employee Childcare Assistance Program: passed, 91–7.
- HB 653 — Excused student absences for certain military‑related events: passed, 94–2.
- HB 798 — Disposition of unclaimed property (digital assets): passed, 96–2.
- HB 1037 — Board of Education instructional materials on climate change: passed, 65–33.
- HB 1053 — Go Virginia grants matching funds (final passage): passed, 97–1.

Several other bills were engrossed and moved to third reading with unanimous or near‑unanimous support; sponsors and committee reports were read into the record by the clerk.

The House reconvened for committee work after recess; the full House is scheduled to meet again Monday at noon for its next floor session.