Virginia NOW Legislative Wishlist for 2023

Workplace anti-harassment training & education on sexual harassment & discrimination (GA 2023)

Gender balance on Corporate BOD which receive state funding (GA 2023)

The Silenced No More Act/NDAs (GA 2023)

Protect child victims from experiencing further trauma by testifying in front of their accusers; increase age (GA 2023)

A Know Your Rights Bill: EEOC/Statute of Limitations (GA 2023)

Termination of parental rights - violence against minors

Jury instructions - query potential jurors in private; admission of highly personal information in presence of audience; exclusion on basis of prior abuse

Incarcerated women as a result of domestic violence

Firearms - Closing boyfriend loophole (Sen. Murphy Connecticut 2022) Is there work needed in VA?

Review "Pink tax" - No gender should receive additional taxation benefits

Legislate men's bodies the same way females are legislated. **This effort is intended to recognize the absuridity and equality afforded to men.

"Penis Tax" - institute a "man's tax" to raise revenue in support of single mothers and foster care system. Create a public fund whereby men are held financially responsible. **This effort is intended to recognize the absuridity of denying repro rights.

Parents who refuse to pay child support would be accessed a local tax benefitting Foster Care recipients who age out at age 18. (Or is there some other way to generate funding for 18yo?)

Personhood

Insurance coverage & pass through cost for infants (Review for potential repro rights benefit)

Mother's Bill of Rights - Momnibus

Re-write state ERA (which is terribly written) guaranteeing abortion, and clarifying other rights

Decriminalize self-managed abortion (SBA)

Abolish statute of limitations on child sex abuse

Expedite physician licensing for abortion

Establish "fly-in" abortion facilities at airports/medical clinics

Doctors can decide to ignore parental consent if they believe a woman's safety concern exists

No lawsuits allowed (re: abortion) from other states on Virginia citizens

Set up a state fund for post-abortion care/short-term housing

Improve nursing home staffing standards; advocate for staff who are frequently sexually abused with no protections from employer

Patient Bill of Rights (long-term confinement facilities)

Establish statewide registry of police officers - disclosing reason for termination; reduce job-hopping to neighboring localities

Protecting increase of state minimum wage (What can be done?)

Increasing the rate paid to restaurant workers (used to be 50% of federal minimum) set in 1991; $2.13/hr

Maternal healthcare (what can we do)

Anti-"Don't say gay" - What should VA do to avoid FL policies?

Require Clerk of Court to supply JIRC forms in full view in lobby; perform audit of local jurisdictions

Combat veteran domestic violence; Addressing PTSD violence towards spouses

Cancellation of health insurance based on pre-diagnostic testing rather than pre-existing conditions

Eliminating the state tax on settlements in discrimination cases (sexual harassment, whistleblowers, service members); personal injury settlements are not taxed (JulieS started a few years ago)

Sovereignty of Indian Tribes in VA (related to ICWA supreme court decision)

Transparency in Locality Procurement (forced arbitration) JulieS bill from 2020/21

Virginia NOW should pursue creative legislation intended to "make a statement" in hopes of drawing attention to discrimination and/or mistreatment of others. This would include occasional efforts like a "penis tax."

Constitutional Amendment Guaranteeing access to abortion, repro healthcare