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Del. Linda Wallace, K-Loudoun-Fauquier, raised the hackles of several lawmakers this year by introducing a bill requiring that police officers, rescue workers and fire fighters be notified if a person whose blood they have come in contact with has the HIV virus.
The bill at first drew fire from opponents worried about medical confidentiality. The bill passed, however, in the final week of legislative action.
“There was a compromise worked out that protects both the patients confidentiality and safety officers. It will give the public safety officers some peace of mind,” said Del. Wallace.
The bill still requires that officers be notified if they have come in contact with someone who has the AIDS virus.
• The General Assembly created two new state departments this year. The departments were created without requiring the state to hire more employees.
The state now has a Department of Environmental Quality, that will combine the work of the existing Water Control Board and Department of Air Pollution.
The state also has a new Department of Rail and Public Transportation. The department is intended to “focus” state efforts on rail and mass transit according to the new department’s chief legislative sponsor, Sen. WaddeU.
• In the final throes of the legislative session, the General Assembly killed a bill requiring that motorists turn on their headlights whenever they use their windshield wipers.
• Lawmakers created the crime of stalking, the act of following someone with the intent to harm them or harrass them. The bill is seen as a new tool in the fight against domestic violence.
• Lawmakers passed a bill allowing cameras in the state’s courtrooms except in juvenile or some sex crime cases.
lovers made out well in the session. The Assembly restored funding for the horse breeders fund and passed a measure allowing off-track betting in an effort to attract a horse racing track.
• Another bill passed by the Assembly grants landowners immunity from liability suits when allowing fox hunters to cross their lands.
• The Assembly killed a bill calling for sales tax on boarding, training and riding lessons.
• The Assembly approved a bill requiring a $7.50 salt water fishing license.
• The lawmakers killed a bill allowing landowners to keep fishermen from wading upstream through their property.
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