I support this act.

After 7 am meeting, then this one. HB 1689 - Please move to report. No one should die without benefit of spiritual help. *HB 1864 - No person should be required to input into their bodies something they don't want there, just to keep their job. We're not North Korea. *HB 1889 - Data shows that they are not at great risk of disease. HB 2057 - Why should people who have worked and paid thousands of dollars for decades, by denied Social Security because those who violated the law came here? Why shouldn't we put infrastructure and improve schools for African American communities FIRST BEFORE any others? Why do they deserve any thing before our veterans? Please PBI this bill. HB 2160 - In honor of those who lost family/friends & weren't allowed to see them at the end, please move to report. HB 2276 - The data is clear: children are not at risk of death from COVID. HB 2293 - https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/articles/comparingdifferentinternationalmeasuresofexcessmortality/2022-12-20 Sweden and Norway were essentially tied for the lowest “[p]roportional all-cause excess-mortality scores” (which “measure[] the percentage change in the number of deaths compared to the expected number of deaths (based on the five-year average [from 2015 to 2019])” among the listed European countries, looking at data from Jan. 2020 to June 2022: Their excess mortality was up 2.7%, compared to, say, 5.2% for Denmark, 7.1% for Finland, and 11.8% for the Netherlands. They had the lowest all causes death rate since COVID arrived and didn't do these long, lengthy lockdowns. Sweden had lower rate avg. excess death percentages: https://reason.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ERGExcessMortality.xlsx https://www.baconsrebellion.com/wp/covid-19-update-still-lots-of-idle-hospital-capacity/ noted on 4/25/2000 Roanoke Valley had 80 cases, 6 hospitalizations and 0 deaths compared to Arlington with 764 cases, 137 hospitalizations, 29 deaths. Elective surgery was banned in both, although the whole of Roanoke Valley had 0 deaths. HB2489 - Please move to report so that men can be given the support to become strong fathers.

I am sure that you all have similar feelings or personal stories regarding the manipulation and loss of personal freedoms beginning with the mandates of late 2020 and early 2021; some currently still being mandated here in Virginia. It is amazing to me that many countries outside the US are standing up and screaming no more- the injections and gene therapy Covid-19 serum is both dangerous and serves no purpose. For those of you that lost your positions/livelihood during the last few years; keep the faith. Whether you made this choice for health reasons, religious freedom, or individual choice you should applaud yourself for standing up for your personal rights and privileges. The time is coming that we will begin to see more and more of these unconstitutional acts begin to fall. Currently, North Shore University Health System employees won a $10.3M class action over the loss of religious freedom. New York City’s mandate for the injection was also overturned for municipal workers and all employees must be reinstated with back pay. Even our own DOD has stopped the mandate of these injections. These are a few cases out of numerous cases where the voices of the people are being heard. Here in the state of Virginia we are seeing many employees ban together to fight back and argue both the safety, efficacy, and lack of informed consent that these mandates provided. As you all know by now these Covid-19 mRNA injections DO NOT prevent the virus nor do they prevent the spread. Going back to Dec 11, 2020, the FDA EUA review committee even knew. The FDA committee pointed out in its discussions, and I quote “vaccine development has a long history and that the FDA is not aware of an example of ANY vaccine that is effective against mild disease that is also effective against severe disease”. Nature publication even has an article that the WSJ discussed where Growing evidence suggests that repeated vaccinations may make people more susceptible to the new Omnicron variant, XBB and could be fueling the virus’s rapid evolution. Senator Ron Johnson held a congressional hearing on Dec 7th with some of the worlds best doctors and researchers discussing that there are plenty of safety signals and current research showing that these injections need to be pulled from the market. Yet here we stand still discussing the risk of not doing so. Is anyone paying attention to the fact that 96+ countries have removed C-19 testing and vaccine requirements to enter? Shortages in higher education all over continue despite the push for the shot two years ago. The shortages that we see today are those that have left the field, are out with injury or are out with constant illness. Our reported weekly numbers rarely vary. So where are the benefits we were to see? Why should we continue what is not making a difference? I currently support this bill and think no one should be denied bodily autonomy- especially in an institution that "teaches" do no harm!

After 7 am meeting, then this one. HB 1689 - Please move to report. No one should die without benefit of spiritual help. *HB 1864 - No person should be required to input into their bodies something they don't want there, just to keep their job. We're not North Korea. *HB 1889 - Data shows that they are not at great risk of disease. HB 2057 - Why should people who have worked and paid thousands of dollars for decades, by denied Social Security because those who violated the law came here? Why shouldn't we put infrastructure and improve schools for African American communities FIRST BEFORE any others? Why do they deserve any thing before our veterans? Please PBI this bill. HB 2160 - In honor of those who lost family/friends & weren't allowed to see them at the end, please move to report. HB 2276 - The data is clear: children are not at risk of death from COVID. HB 2293 - https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/articles/comparingdifferentinternationalmeasuresofexcessmortality/2022-12-20 Sweden and Norway were essentially tied for the lowest “[p]roportional all-cause excess-mortality scores” (which “measure[] the percentage change in the number of deaths compared to the expected number of deaths (based on the five-year average [from 2015 to 2019])” among the listed European countries, looking at data from Jan. 2020 to June 2022: Their excess mortality was up 2.7%, compared to, say, 5.2% for Denmark, 7.1% for Finland, and 11.8% for the Netherlands. They had the lowest all causes death rate since COVID arrived and didn't do these long, lengthy lockdowns. Sweden had lower rate avg. excess death percentages: https://reason.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ERGExcessMortality.xlsx https://www.baconsrebellion.com/wp/covid-19-update-still-lots-of-idle-hospital-capacity/ noted on 4/25/2000 Roanoke Valley had 80 cases, 6 hospitalizations and 0 deaths compared to Arlington with 764 cases, 137 hospitalizations, 29 deaths. Elective surgery was banned in both, although the whole of Roanoke Valley had 0 deaths. HB2489 - Please move to report so that men can be given the support to become strong fathers.

Please support HB1889. No student/employee of a college should be forced to choose between a degree/employment or a medical procedure-- vaccination. There is risk to every vaccination and nobody can undo it once it's been injected. I bet that the majority of US colleges that mandated the Covid vaccine are CRIMINALLY negligent for injuring and/or killing at least one student or employee. That's how dangerous yet ineffective the Covid vaccines are, and when an institution coerces harm, that's a crime. Even better yet, create a bill that reinforces complete and full bodily autonomy for the entire state of Virginia! There is no situation where any Virginian should be forced to take any shot or medical treatment. Ever.

I support HB1889. Bodily autonomy is a fundamental human right and therefore no one should be forced to take the COVID 19 injection as a condition to attend or be employed by institutions of higher education. Further, this injection is still only approved under Emergency Use Authorization reducing the ability for injected persons to receive compensation in the event of a bad reaction or death. Since the injections have been available in Virginia, 22,457 deaths have occurred. Additionally, myocarditis, from which one can not heal , is one of the main side effects of this injection. Support HB 1889 and protect our freedoms to choose what we put into our bodies. Thank you.

As a mother of 2 recent graduates and 1 current student at Virginia universities I respectfully ask that you please support HB1889 to prohibit any Virginia colleges and universities from requiring covid-19 shots for enrollment. From the start of the covid pandemic, healthy college age students were never at risk for serious illness. In the summer of 2021, it was known that the covid 19 shots did not stop infection and transmission of the virus and there were reported cases of myocarditis and other adverse events in the college age cohort. Despite these facts, most, if not all, Virginia colleges & universities mandated these shots for the Fall 2021 semester. In order to continue attending their colleges, students were told to get the shots or get a medical or religious exemption. Medical exemptions were hard to get, doctors were reluctant to grant them even when they thought it was justified for fear of reprisal. Students who did not want to get the shots were told by their college or university that they could transfer somewhere else or take a semester off; both of which are terrible options for students in the middle of earning their degrees. Parents, by the thousands, complained to college & university administrators about them forcing unnecessary, unwanted Emergency Use Authorized shots which have absolutely zero long term safety data on their young adult children, but their concerns were ignored. Many students felt coerced into getting shots they did not want or need and sadly some Virginia college students suffered serious adverse reactions. As if being coerced into getting covid shots for the Fall semester was not bad enough, in December of 2021 during Christmas break, many Virginia colleges and universities decided to mandate covid booster shots due to an irrational fear about the emerging Omicron variant - even though it was known at the time to be much less virulent than the previous ones. So, once again Virginia's college and university administrators mandated a covid booster shot that the college age cohort did not need, and it was still true that the shots do not stop infection or transmission and there is still absolutely zero long-term safety data and many serious adverse events occurring from the covid 19 shots. And again, complaints from parents and students went out to the administrators of Virginia's colleges and universities and fell on deaf ears. Students who did not want to get the booster shot were told they could defer for a semester or transfer to a different college - all bad options. So, once again many of Virginia's college and university students were coerced into getting a shot they did not need and did not want. The Commonwealth of Virginia needs to stand up for medical freedom and choice and tell college and university administrators that they will never again be allowed to decide what shots college students should take. Also, the Virginia Department of Health should not be deciding what shots college students should take.

Please support HB1889 to prohibit any Virginia colleges and universities from requiring covid-19 shots for enrollment. From the start of the covid pandemic, healthy college age students were never at risk for serious illness. In the summer of 2021, it was known that the covid 19 shots did not stop infection and transmission of the virus and there were reported cases of myocarditis and other adverse events in the college age cohort. Despite these facts, most, if not all, Virginia colleges & universities mandated these shots for the Fall 2021 semester. In order to continue attending their colleges, students were told to get the shots or get a medical or religious exemption. Medical exemptions were hard to get, doctors were reluctant to grant them even when they thought it was justified for fear of reprisal. Students who did not want to get the shots were told by their college or university that they could transfer somewhere else or take a semester off; both of which are terrible options for students in the middle of earning their degrees. Parents, by the thousands, complained to college & university administrators about them forcing unnecessary, unwanted Emergency Use Authorized shots which have absolutely zero long term safety data on their young adult children, but their concerns were ignored. Many students felt coerced into getting shots they did not want or need and sadly some Virginia college students suffered serious adverse reactions. As if being coerced into getting covid shots for the Fall semester was not bad enough, in December of 2021 during Christmas break, many Virginia colleges and universities decided to mandate covid booster shots due to an irrational fear about the emerging Omicron variant - even though it was known at the time to be much less virulent than the previous ones. So, once again Virginia's college and university administrators mandated a covid booster shot that the college age cohort did not need, and it was still true that the shots do not stop infection or transmission and there is still absolutely zero long-term safety data and many serious adverse events occurring from the covid 19 shots. And again, complaints from parents and students went out to the administrators of Virginia's colleges and universities and fell on deaf ears. Students who did not want to get the booster shot were told they could defer for a semester or transfer to a different college - all bad options. So, once again many of Virginia's college and university students were coerced into getting a shot they did not need and did not want. The Commonwealth of Virginia needs to stand up for medical freedom and choice and tell college and university administrators that they will never again be allowed to decide what shots college students should take. Also, the Virginia Department of Health should not be deciding what shots college students should take.

Please support this bill. The requirement of an educational institution for any medical procedure whatsoever, including immunization against COVID-19, violates the bodily autonomy of individuals. Discrimination based on personal healthcare choices should not be allowed. Further, the health risks of COVID-19 immunizations are becoming increasingly clear. No person should be forced or pressured into receiving these shots.

I hope that you will move to report the following bills as our students desperately need help. It is clear that the previous years' actions by other groups are not supporting kids to learn facts and think for themselves: becoming functional adults that contribute positively to our world. HB1555, HB1726, HB1887, HB1889, HB2277, HB2396 are all items that are before you that will be a catalyst for positive change. Thank you for your time,

"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book

HB 2276 Immunization; immunization of children against COVID-19 Informed consent is the basis of medical ethics. Parents should make decisions regarding the health and wellbeing of their children. COVID-19 vaccines do not prevent viral transmission so there is no justification for requiring these vaccines as a requirement for school attendance. This bill specifies that parents shall not be required to immunize their children against COVID-19 in the same manner current Virginia law allows them to determine whether to give them the Haemophilus Influenzae Type b vaccine. In 2020, when the legislature considered and passed HB 1090, which dealt with the manner in which future childhood vaccines would be considered, legislators and their experts confirmed the legislature’s support for keeping parents in charge of their child’s vaccination schedule. In 2021, the Virginia Department of Health proposed a regulation requiring the COVID-19 vaccine as a requirement for school attendance. More than 15,000 Virginians commented on the regulation, with overwhelming opposition (93%) to mandating the shot. Medical professionals around the world are in agreement that there is no scientific rationale for continuing any COVID-19 mandates in 2023 and beyond. HB 2280 Parental consent to surgical and medical treatment of certain minors This bill requires parents and guardians to consent to medical interventions concerning their children, including vaccination. It is important to amend current law to make it clear that parents are in control and make medical decisions for their children. Several cities have attempted to pass orders and laws that allow children as young as 11 years of age to consent to vaccination without parental knowledge! Please do not let this happen in Virginia. Please support this bill to send a clear message that in Virginia, parents are in control and they decide what medical interventions their children receive.

The City of Portsmouth supports this bill. It would provide consistent regulations across the Commonwealth. However, it our understanding that the Health Department already inspects the pools for compliance.

Working in the pool industry in both retail and distribution, also having used public pools, I feel HB1917 should be a definite yes.

As a long time industry professional I am writing in support of this bill. My company, AAA Pool Services, manages and operates almost 50 seasonal pools across all localities in the Tidewater area. We have to deal with multiple sets of codes and standards, and then pools in Suffolk have no codes or standards other than VHD code, which does not apply to these pools. I encourage a YES vote on HB1917 to begin to standardize public pool requirements for both ease of business and swimmer safety. James Durkee Vice President AAA Pool Services

I live in Alexandria and am concerned about the health and safety of our public swimming pools. I've heard that showering before entering a pool means germs are less likely to be in the water. My friends and family don't want to get sick when we're at the pool! And keeping the pool environment and equipment up to date is important. An inspection of a facility would make sure we're safe from harm due to lack of maintenance, or issues with handrails, electrical elements, fencing, diving boards or signs, for example. Please help us enjoy our pools.

Comments Document

Attached is a letter of support for the HB1917 Bill. As a pool builder, service provider and retail company in VA for 45 years we feel it is important for all commercial properties to meet minimum requirements for water quality and proper pool operation.

As a citizen of Virginia in excess of nearly 20 years, husband, a father of 4, grandfather of 11, thus far, and a swimming pool professional for these past 50 years I wish to express my full support of VA HB 1917. My aquatics career began in neighboring Maryland, at my local community pool. There I learned how to swim from certified Water Safety Instructors, was provided supervision during the summer months, after passing the pool test, by the licensed guard staff. It was my haven, my safe place to go. I later learned how regulated it was by the Health Department. In 73, I became a part of that staff and by the end of the summer was a lifeguard myself. Over the next four years I became a Water Safety Instructor, Swim Coach, Licensed Pool Operator, SCUBA Diver and eventually received 2 degrees in Recreation. My career spans Public Pool Management, Service, Renovation, Construction and now Design. At one point I held a management position for the largest Commercial Pool Builder in the mid-Atlantic, traveling 6 states and D.C.. It was there that I discovered the great disparity in state and local regulations on Swimming Pool, Spa, Waterpark and Splashground health and safety. Part of my job description was to determine what regulations and codes were in place that we needed to conform to in providing for our clients. Sadly to say, VA had and still does have the least health and safety regulations within this region and perhaps the country. What the Health Department does have, with reference to current regulations, is extremely outdated, circa 1962 and has very poor enforcement. Fortunately, the VA Building Dept, since 2014, now uses the ICC code, which replaced a mostly non existent design and construction code for swimming pools. This likely as part of the result of deaths and near drownings from poor design, construction, renovation and service practices that led to Federal Standards such as the VGB ACT of 2008. While working or vacationing in Virginia back then, I would be appalled at the unhealthy and unsafe conditions I would find at commercial aquatic venues in those jurisdictions without Health Department oversight. Certainly, a RED FLAG, was raised whenever my children wanted to swim in a manmade vessel. Today, I assist Design Professionals, with the mechanical, Building and Health Code compliance and amenity needs of existing and new aquatic facilities, in VA. Frequently, I am asked about conformance to Health Department regulations and find Developers, General Contractors, Designers and Consultants all shocked and in disbelief that most of VA does not have Health Department regulations like other states and jurisdictions. What regulations the Health Department does have are restricted to "Tourist Establishments". Unfortunately, for VA citizens including my grandchildren, VA has until this opportunity, found it more important to protect "tourists" than the citizens of the Commonwealth. Like vehicle safety, aquatic safety must be regulated for the good of the public. Profits would otherwise circumvent the need for seat belts and air bags, or proper filtration and sanitation. Can you imagine what might be served and what cleanliness conditions might be present, if restaurants were not regulated and inspected regularly by a qualified Health Department with adequate regulations. Public health and safety would be compromised. So is currently true in most of Virginia with their swimming pools.

Re: Consideration of House Bill 1917 – Public Pools; Board of Health to Adopt Regulations. We are writing to let you know that we, as the Central Virginia of PHTA, support the bill directing the Virginia Department of Health to promulgate regulations governing swimming pools and spas for public use. Our chapter covers most of the state of Virginia, from Virginia Beach to Jonesville, in the west, and north to Charlottesville. Our members have spent years upholding the standards on safety, operations, and maintenance of pools and spas. We believe strongly that HB 1917 will considerably increase the safety and welfare of public pools in Virginia and protect Virginia residents who use them. The Virginia Department of Health currently only has authority to enforce regulations for pools and spas at campgrounds, summer camps, and hotels. Additionally, only 20 local jurisdictions in Virginia have a code that regulates the operations, maintenance, and safety of public pools. Our members have an incredible relationship with the Virginia Department of Health, working with them on regulating the pools and spas they can enforce. As a chapter, we stand behind PHTA National Offices, in providing recommendations related to regulations to be adopted. We want to ensure that the residents of Virginia have safe public pools and spas to enjoy. On behalf of our many members, we respectfully request that you consider moving this important legislation out of your committee. Sincerely, Vicki Hudson Chapter President Centralva.apsp@gmail.com

Comments Document

Dear Chairman Walker: This bill, directing the Virginia Department of Health to promulgate regulations governing swimming pools and spas for public use is supported by the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA). PHTA’s headquarters are established in Virginia and many of its employees are Virginians. Currently, the Virginia Department of Health only has authority to govern and promulgate regulations for pools and spas at campgrounds, summer camps, and hotels. Additionally, only 20 local jurisdictions in Virginia have a code that regulates the operations, maintenance, and safety of public pools. HB 1917 will begin the process to drastically increase the safety and welfare of public pools in Virginia and further protect Virginia residents. PHTA, its Virginia members, and other industry stakeholders have a tremendous relationship with the Virginia Department of Health and provide recommendations related to regulations required to be adopted. Additionally, this relationship has created an environment for industry leaders and the Virginia Department of Health to discuss current and best practices and opportunity for future collaboration. On behalf of the many Virginia pool and spa professionals represented by PHTA, as well as those in neighboring states that do business in Virginia, we respectfully request that you consider moving this important legislation out of your committee. Sincerely, Jason Davidson PHTA, Director of Government Relations jdavidson@phta.org About Us The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance was formed in 2019, combining the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) and the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF). With the mission to “Celebrate the Water,” PHTA facilitates the expansion of swimming, water safety and related research and outreach activities aimed at introducing more people to swimming, making swimming environments safer and keeping pools open to serve communities. APSP, now the PHTA, is the world’s oldest and largest association representing swimming pool, hot tub, and spa manufacturers, distributors, manufacturers’ agents, designers, builders, installers, suppliers, retailers, and service professionals. Dedicated to the growth and development of its members’ businesses and to promoting the enjoyment and safety of pools and spas, PHTA offers a range of services, from professional development to advancing key legislation and regulation at the federal and local levels, to consumer outreach and public safety. PHTA is the only industry organization recognized by the American National Standards Institute to develop and promote national standards for pools, hot tubs, and spas. For more information, visit PHTA.org.

Comments Document

Honorable Delegates of the Health Welfare and Institutions Committee, Greetings to you and attached please find continued, detailed AAC support memo for HB1969, which will restore unrestricted access to original birth certificates for all Virginia adult adopted persons. We are very happy to be working alongside our partner advocates at the Capitol Coalition for Adoptee Rights (CCAR) to advance this vital human and civil rights imperative. Hope this helps, with tremendous thanks for all efforts to advance adoptee equality in The Old Dominion State. Regards, Tim. Tim Monti-Wohlpart tmw713@gmail.com 917-403-8105 American Adoption Congress, National Legislative Chair

I support Virginia HB1969 and ask each of you to do the same. Adopted persons in Virginia should not be discriminated against and treated as a separate class of citizen. They deserve the same unrestricted rights to their birth certificate as every other person born in the state of Virginia. As the law currently stands adult adopted persons are the only citizens of the Common Wealth of Virginia who have no legal right to the personal vital statistic record documenting their birth. At this time the release of an original birth record to an adult adopted person requires either a state agency’s decision to release identifying information upon good cause shown; or a court order upon good cause shown. The onus is on the adopted person to prove they deserve access to their own birth certificate. The current law is ridiculously difficult, complicated and can come at great monetary expense to the adopted person. Rather than paying the typical $20 fee, adopted persons must hire lawyers, go to court, etc., without knowing if the time and expense they have spent will successfully allow them to obtain their own birth certificate. Please do not continue to allow adopted people born in Virginia to be discriminated against.

CHSVA supports this bill. Adoptees should be afforded the same rights and have access to the same documents as their peers. Currently, these adoptees have to obtain a court order to access their own birth certificate. They should not have to go through the expense and complexities of the judicial system to obtain documentation pertaining to their own identity. We ask that you support this bill.

Comments Document

Honorable Delegates of the Health Welfare and Institutions Subcommittee, Greetings to you and attached please find a new, further detailed AAC support memo for HB1969, which will restore unrestricted access to original birth certificates for all Virginia adult adopted persons. We are very happy to be working alongside our partner advocates at the Capitol Coalition for Adoptee Rights (CCAR) to advance this vital human and civil rights imperative. Hope this helps, with tremendous thanks for all efforts to advance adoptee equality in The Old Dominion State. Regards, Tim. Tim Monti-Wohlpart tmw713@gmail.com 917-403-8105 American Adoption Congress, National Legislative Chair

I am 100% behind this clean bill allowing adoptees be allowed to their OBC. These antiquated laws need to be enhanced to meet todays needs of ALL citizens including adoptees. DNA now leads the way and biological parents can easily be found. Technology has advanced and what a great way for Virginia to advance too When a state values all its citizens with equal opportunity vs oppression the masses will be happier and thrive. Good luck Virginia adoptees from a fellow adoptee in Oregon. With much support and in favor of this Bill 1969. Ann E Weaver-Melendy

Dear Honorable Delegates, I fully support Virginia HB1969 and advocate for unrestricted access to original birth certificates to all Virginia born adoptees. Adult adoptees deserve the same rights to their birth records as any other person born in our commonwealth. Unlike other Virginians, adoptees cannot research medical history and familial disease patterns. Please abolish paternalistic, antiquated policies that prevent an adoptee from knowing essential facts about their own identity. Make the Commonwealth of Virginia more transparent and equitable by supporting adoptees’ access to birth records.

I was born and adopted in northern Virginia in 1961. I am writing in favor of Virginia HB1969. I am in Reunion with my elderly birth mother and have established family ties with my paternal side too. This bill would help put the Baby Scoop era of adoption in the past and create a brighter future for many adult adoptees who are needlessly kept in the dark about basic facts about our own life beginnings. What is more basic or fundamental than knowing the identity of your biological parents? They were never promised anonymity anyway. The search process can be more direct without involving cousins who are DNA matches, the typical sleuthing process that adult adoptees now go through, without OBC access.

Dear Honorable Delegates, I fully support Virginia HB1969 and implore each of you to do the same. As the law currently stands adult adopted persons are the only citizens of the State of Virginia who have no legal right to the personal vital statistic record documenting their birth. At this time the release of an original birth record to an adult adopted person requires either a state agency’s decision to release identifying information upon good cause shown; or a court order upon good cause shown. The onus is on the adopted person to prove they deserve access to their own birth certificate. Please restore unrestricted access to original birth certificates to all Virginia born adoptees. They deserve the same rights to their birth certificates as every other person born in the state of Virginia. Adopted persons should not be discrimated against and treated as a separate class of citizens.

My name Tonya Moore who found out I was adopted at the age of 31 years old. That was devastating for me. So when I went to obtain my birth records to only find out that was not possible was even worst for me. I could only get my non identifying information. I started grieving over records that I couldn't obtained. I believe everyone should access to their birth records. Access will help.put pieces together especially when it comes to medical issues. I am now 51 years old and have no idea about my family medical history. In speaking with doctors to onlly say " I am adopted " It's hard feeling different from others and fighting for your identity every day.

My name is Jamie Weiss, however that has not always been who I am. In February of 1979, I was born. Where, to whom, and when?? Well, that’s a great question that I could not answer for 30 years. After being adopted at 6 months old, my original birth certificate, that recorded the facts of my birth was taken from me and replaced with a falsified birth certificate - listing a different name, a different mother, a different father, a different city of birth, and even a completely different state! As an adult, I thought that I would be allowed to obtain my birth records. Sadly I learned that I could not, due to the law requiring that my own birth certificate be sealed away and kept from me. This was done solely due to the fact that I was adopted. It was not done at the request of myself or my birth mother. Neither of us would have chosen for my birth certificate to be sealed. In fact, it was my birth mother who was able to provide me with the information about myself that I did not know, once I was able to connect with her. So at 30 years old, I learned that Jamie from Georgia is actually Hope from Virginia. If a birth certificate is such a “vital” record, then why am I denied access to mine? I am not a child. I am not dangerous. I am not a criminal. I am a wife, a mother, a caregiver, a neighbor, an entrepreneur, a daughter, a sister. No one is harmed by me knowing the truth about ME! Non-adopted persons can obtain their birth certificate by going online or in person, completing a request form, and paying the $12 fee. It is that simple. In contrast, adopted persons who wish to obtain theirs are forced into an arduous and arbitrary process to petition the court and spend thousands of dollars to gamble for a chance at being granted access by a judge. Solely due to the fact that they were adopted and no other reason. Virginia HB1969 will give adult adopted persons the unrestricted right to obtain their own original birth certificate and it is essential to ensuring dignity and equality for all. This is a basic right that all other groups of people have except adopted persons. It is time for that to change. I am asking that all members of the subcommittee will support HB1969 and provide a favorable report.

Comments Document

Dear members of the Subcommittee, Attached is my letter of support for a favorable report for HB1969. Thank you for your consideration . Respectfully, Susie Stricker Maryland Adoptee Rights, Director Capitol Coalition for Adoptee Rights

Comments Document

Virginia Delegate Wendell S. Walker Chair of the Health, Welfare and Institutions Sub-Committee Pocahontas Building, Room E304 900 East Main Street Richmond, VA 23219 January 18, 2023 Dear Chairman Walker and Members of the Subcommittee: I write on behalf of the New York Adoptee Rights Coalition (NYARC) regarding Virginia’s HB1969. New York State recently enacted bipartisan legislation that secured—like HB1969 would secure—the right of adult adopted people to obtain certified copies of their own original birth certificates (OBC). NYARC was instrumental in securing this right. Adult adoptees are the only group of people who are denied access to the state’s original record of their birth. We are denied this document not because we were relinquished or because our parent(s) had their rights terminated for just cause; but because we were adopted. OBCs are only changed and sealed upon adoption. This fact is true regardless of what year we were adopted. This is true in infant, step-parent, intercountry, and foster care adoptions. Had a person not been adopted but, instead, aged out of the foster care system their name and birth certificate would never have been changed. Critical to note is that every child in foster care, like adoptees, was also relinquished or their parent(s) had their rights terminated for just cause. Obtaining one’s OBC is about dignity and equality. It is not about searching for one’s biological family. Adopted adults do not need a record of their births to locate family. They need only spit in a vial or swab their cheek. I, personally, have helped upwards of 200 people locate their biological families using consumer DNA testing and public records. The people I have helped range in age from 21 to 83. In the technological world of social media and consumer DNA testing, I assure you that the idea of anonymity for anyone is impossible. There are approximately six million adopted people in the United States. We are your neighbors, friends, and family members. We represent first responders, teachers, military, union workers, corporate professionals, and even legislators. We represent every religion, political party, sexual orientation and gender. Imagine if Virginia’s current law stated that military personnel/first responders/teachers/LBGTQ/etc., must secure a court order or approval from a state agency in order to access their original birth certificate. Virginians would never stand for such discrimination. We ask that you not stand for it either. It is our hope that Virginia will, like New York, allow ALL adults born in the state to be able to apply for and receive a copy of their original birth certificate without restrictions or court orders. We hope that you will join New York and the 12 other states (Alaska, Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Louisiana, Oregon, and Rhode Island) who allow for complete adoptee equality. Vermont will soon become the 13th state. You have the potential to get it right and make it equal in Virginia. It is our hope that you make history happen in your great state, just as we did in New York, Make Virginia the 14th state to restore an adopted adult’s right to their own birth record. We ask for a favorable subcommittee report for HB1969. Respectfully, Annette O’Connell Spokesperson - New York Adoptee Rights Coalition 845-821-4303 coalition@nyadopteerights.org

Comments Document

TO: Delegates of the Virginia House Health, Welfare, and Institutions Sub Committee FROM: Marley E Greiner, Executive Chair, Bastard Nation: the Adoptee Rights Organization RE: Please support HB 1969, Adoptee Original Birth Certificates DATE: January 18, 2023 Honorable Delegates of the Health Welfare and Institutions Subcommittee: Attached please find our written comments in support of HB 1969, a bill to restore the right of all Virginia-born adoptees to their original birth certificates without restrictions or conditions. I am happy to discuss any questions or concerns you have about this bill. (614-795-6819 (cell) or 361-452-1391 (unlisted, but better due to spam)

Comments Document

Please consider the attached letter and materials in support of a favorable report on HB1969, a bill whose chief patron is Del. Walker. Gregory Luce Adoptee Rights Law Center

HB1969 Adult Adoptee Access to their own Original Birth Certificate I am Rebecca Ricardo – an adopted person, a birth mother who placed a child for adoption and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker currently serving as the Executive Director for C2Adopt – a Richmond based adoption agency. I support this bill personally and I can speak on behalf of C2Adopt that the agency also supports this bill. A person who was adopted as a minor child should have equal access to the government documentation of their birth as all other adult citizens of the Commonwealth have access to upon the age of majority. We should not have a lessor citizen status in regards to the document as important as the verification of our birth information. This is an equality issue that needs to be updated and changed. Thirteen other states have already taken this action to provide adult adoptees access to this document. Please make Virginia the next state to enact this critical change to our Code of Virginia. Thank you. Rebecca L. Ricardo, LCSW Executive Director – C2Adopt rricardo@c2adopt.org or rebeccaricardo65@gmail.com 804-360-0920 Resident of Virginia residing in Goochland County

Honorable Delegates, I was born in Virginia and adopted as an infant in 1979. As this was in the era of closed adoptions, my original birth certificate (OBC) was sealed. Many people who were not adopted do not realize that people in my situation have no legal right to view their OBC. The most we are allowed is a copy of non-identifying information with all names redacted. It is my position that adult adoptees have a right to know the names of their birth parents. There are many genetic diseases that doctors cannot screen for without knowing a medical history. Adopted people without access to the names of any blood relatives are stuck in a situation where they could be denied essential medical care - this is unnecessary. I have personally met many adoptees in their 80s and 90s whose only hope in life is to meet just one blood relative before they die. Due to the secrecy built into state laws like Virginia's, their search efforts are often unsuccessful. Please support HB1969. Thank you, Joseph Hamelman

Comments Document

Greetings to you and attached please find an AAC support memo for HB1969, which will restore unrestricted access to original birth certificates for all Virginia adult adopted persons. We are very happy to be working alongside our partner advocates at the Capitol Coalition for Adoptee Rights (CCAR) to advance this vital human and civil rights imperative. Hope this helps, with tremendous thanks for all efforts to advance adoptee equality in the Old Dominion State. Regards, Tim. Tim Monti-Wohlpart tmw713@gmail.com 917-403-8105 American Adoption Congress, National Legislative Chair

On behalf of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, I write to support HB 2033, which adopts the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC). The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 223,000 members and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel; and students. Over 4,800 ASHA members reside in Virginia. ASHA members often have difficulty obtaining multiple state licenses to practice due to administrative burdens. These burdens hinder their ability to provide quality services and restrict consumer access in underserved and rural communities. I am pleased to support HB 2033, which will address these issues by: • Increasing access to care for clients, patients, and/or students; and • facilitating continuity of care when clients, patients, and/or students relocate or travel to another state, specifically with members of the military and their spouses. ASHA recognizes there are questions regarding the fiscal note and would assert that this Compact is no different than any other compact that Virginia has joined, including nursing, physical therapy, EMS, psychology and occupational therapy. The Compact Commission will have the ability to levy and collect an annual assessment from each member state to cover the cost of operations. The amount will be formulated by the Commission and will be binding upon all member states. At the present time, the amount, if any, that will be imposed upon each state’s budget is unknown. If Virginia passes this legislation, they will be among the group of delegates that make that determination. Currently, the Nursing Compact and the Psychology Compact are the only compacts that levy an annual assessment. The Nursing Compact assesses $6,000 and the Psychology Compact assesses states on a sliding scale. The ASLP-IC Commission views these numbers as guardrails for what this Commission may implement. Virginia is also a member of a number of national compacts that assess the state an annual fee. The ASLP-IC member states have indicated that they will seek grants from the Health Resources & Services Administration, the Department of Defense, and other relevant funders to help avoid a state assessment. Additionally, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, and the American Academy of Audiology have committed to financial support. The Compact also allows states to charge a fee for the privilege to practice and its renewal to offset and any costs. These numbers don’t include the fiscal benefit that can be realized by the Commonwealth for the recruitment and retention of qualified providers. Passage of this bill would allow Virginia to enjoy the same benefits of the 23 other ASLP-IC member states, including the neighboring states of Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina. The United States Department of Defense State Liaison Office joins ASHA in supporting HB 2033. If you or your staff have any questions, please contact Susan Adams, ASHA’s director of state legislative and regulatory affairs, at sadams@asha.org.

Comments Document

My name is Christopher Arnold. I am the Mid-Atlantic Regional Liaison for the United States Department Defense-State Liaison Office. Joining the 23 states who have enacted the compact before you today over the last 24 months will improve access to care and allow military personnel and spouses to more easily maintain their certifications when relocating. Federal law requires the military departments to produce annual strategic basing scorecards considering factors such as membership in licensing compacts and the quality of healthcare near bases. Future basing decisions made with a consistent framework will ensure optimal conditions for service members and their families. Common misinformation about compacts is that they either lower or raise the standards for the occupation, when in fact, compact states have the option to issue both “compact license” and also a “State-only license”. As 45 states have joined hundreds of DOD's compacts, including five here in the great commonwealth of Virginia, academic research and real world experience have proven reservations initially expressed by some groups, such as lost revenue to the state board or public safety concerns, have not materialized. DoD pivoted in its approach toward licensure after 2017 to consider occupational license compacts our optimal end state. Compacts establish common understanding of competency and its measurement within the occupation, and provide seamless reciprocity for military spouses in an occupation. House bill 2033, the Audiology and Speech Language Pathology Interstate Compact addresses these issues affecting our service members and their families and facilitates interstate practice of audiology and speech language pathology with the goal of improving public access to services, while preserving the regulatory authority of states to protect public health and safety through the current system of state licensure. Portable employment opportunities support military spouse career development. The language of the compact allows an active duty servicemember, or their spouse, to designate a home state where the individual has a current license in good standing. This state then serves as the individual’s home state for as long as the servicemember is on active duty, while adhering to the laws, rules and scope of practice in Virginia. This is particularly important insofar as outside of the interstate compact, there is no state specific law Virginia can pass to help Old Dominion state residents who are stationed in other states and are involuntarily relocated to other states obtain a license. There are no fees to the service member or spouse other than for their home state license, and these are reimbursed by the military services pursuant to federal law. We appreciate the opportunity to support the policies supporting military spouses outlined in the House Bill 2033 and are especially grateful to Delegate Sewell for her leadership and sponsorship in carrying this initiative forward and thankful to the committee for your thoughtful consideration and all your prior support of our service members and their families. As always as liaison to the Mid-Atlantic region, I stand ready to answer whatever questions you may have.

I have been a Virginia licensed speech-language pathologist since 2004 when my husband was stationed in Quantico, Virginia. I have worked in Virginia schools, private practice, and out-patient rehab. When my husband was stationed outside Virginia, I maintained my Virginia license, but could not work out of the state unless I applied and paid for a different state license. In Florida, it took over 6 months for me to obtain a license. In North Carolina, I was only able to find work on a military station because I did not have a license in North Carolina. The time and cost of obtaining and maintaining licenses for every state that we moved was cost prohibitive and a barrier to work. Now that my husband has retired from active duty, we remain in Virginia for our children to graduate high school and attend one of Virginia’s many accredited state colleges. I hope to advocate for speech-language pathology and audiology services for Virginians. The https://aslpcompact.com/compact-map/ includes states that allow for a speech-language pathologist or audiologist to practice without obtaining and maintaining another state license. This is important because we have military spouses in Prince William County. We have a shortage of speech therapy service providers. Virginians with hearing loss need access to quality audiology services. With the interstate compact, expansion of services to residents in rural areas closer to West Virginia and North Carolina and Maryland have access to more service providers and options for telehealth. Audiologists and SLPs are trained to identify, assess, treat, and manage speech, language, feeding/swallowing, cognitive, hearing, and balance disorders. It is critical that the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact be successfully operationalized and expanded, that licensure and certification requirements be preserved, and that the ability to practice to the fullest extent of one’s education and training be supported. Please support the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact.

Comments Document

On behalf of military families and the Department of Defense, I am writing to provide comment regarding the policy changes proposed in Virginia House Bill 2033, the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC), which addresses licensing issues affecting our service members and their families. I would like to thank you for considering this issue in the 2023 legislative session. My name is Christopher Arnold. I am the Mid-Atlantic Regional Liaison for the United States Department of Defense-State Liaison Office, operating under the direction of Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. Our mission is to be a resource to state policymakers as they work to address quality of life issues of military families. The ASLP-IC enhances opportunities of portable careers for military spouses by providing consistent rules which allow licensed members to work in other states through “privilege to practice policies”, or more easily transfer their license to a new state. Frequent moves and cumbersome licensing and certification requirements limit career options for military spouses. Enacting the ASLP-IC will serve to relieve one of the many stressors of a military move by allowing service members and military spouses to more easily maintain their profession when relocating. We appreciate the opportunity to support the policies outlined in the ASLP-IC introduced this session. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have.

Comments Document

On behalf of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, I write to support HB 2033, which adopts the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC). The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 223,000 members and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel; and students. Over 4,800 ASHA members reside in Virginia. ASHA members often have difficulty obtaining multiple state licenses to practice due to administrative burdens. These burdens hinder their ability to provide quality services and restrict consumer access in underserved and rural communities. I am pleased to support HB 2033, which will address these issues by: • Increasing access to care for clients, patients, and/or students; and • facilitating continuity of care when clients, patients, and/or students relocate or travel to another state, specifically with members of the military and their spouses. Passage of this bill would allow Virginia to enjoy the same benefits of the 23 other ASLP-IC member states, including the neighboring states of Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina. The United States Department of Defense State Liaison Office joins ASHA in supporting HB 2033. If you or your staff have any questions, please contact Susan Adams, ASHA’s director of state legislative and regulatory affairs, at sadams@asha.org.

HB 2276 Immunization; immunization of children against COVID-19 Informed consent is the basis of medical ethics. Parents should make decisions regarding the health and wellbeing of their children. COVID-19 vaccines do not prevent viral transmission so there is no justification for requiring these vaccines as a requirement for school attendance. This bill specifies that parents shall not be required to immunize their children against COVID-19 in the same manner current Virginia law allows them to determine whether to give them the Haemophilus Influenzae Type b vaccine. In 2020, when the legislature considered and passed HB 1090, which dealt with the manner in which future childhood vaccines would be considered, legislators and their experts confirmed the legislature’s support for keeping parents in charge of their child’s vaccination schedule. In 2021, the Virginia Department of Health proposed a regulation requiring the COVID-19 vaccine as a requirement for school attendance. More than 15,000 Virginians commented on the regulation, with overwhelming opposition (93%) to mandating the shot. Medical professionals around the world are in agreement that there is no scientific rationale for continuing any COVID-19 mandates in 2023 and beyond. HB 2280 Parental consent to surgical and medical treatment of certain minors This bill requires parents and guardians to consent to medical interventions concerning their children, including vaccination. It is important to amend current law to make it clear that parents are in control and make medical decisions for their children. Several cities have attempted to pass orders and laws that allow children as young as 11 years of age to consent to vaccination without parental knowledge! Please do not let this happen in Virginia. Please support this bill to send a clear message that in Virginia, parents are in control and they decide what medical interventions their children receive.

I support this bill.

I strongly support this bill.

I support this bill

I am writing in support of the compact for universal licensure for Audiology and Speech Pathology. As a Speech Pathologist for over 26 years, a military spouse, it has been challenging applying and receiving my license in a timely fashion; thus, impacting work and financial well being. Each state requires different administrative items making it time consuming and an administrative burden. Following Covid, the ability to offer telehealth across state lines for a short period of time due to the governors allowing this reciprocity, allowed patients to be seen more freely. One instance, a military family going back to their family due to spouse being deployed and the child being able to continue to be seen through telehealth and maintaining continuity of care. Imagine this to be an event always available if universal license was approved. I urge this compact to pass and for single license across state lines for speech pathologists and audiologists.

To Whom It May Concern: I am a speech-language pathologist in full support of this bill, as I currently hold both a separate VA license and MD license. I recently moved from VA to MD, and am currently residing in an area where I could easily provide services to patients in need in DC, MD, and VA. I have considered keeping both state licensures due to my location, however the additional cost without a compact licensure option is a greater financial burden on me and my practice. I would greatly benefit from the passing of this bill, and I think it would be a great step towards progress to a more universal compact licensure and regulations state by state. Thank you in advance for your consideration!

I support this bill.

I have been a Virginia licensed speech-language pathologist since 2004 when my husband was stationed in Quantico, Virginia. I have worked in Virginia schools, private practice, and out-patient rehab. When my husband was stationed outside Virginia, I maintained my Virginia license, but could not work out of the state unless I applied and paid for a different state license. In Florida, it took over 6 months for me to obtain a license. In North Carolina, I was only able to find work on a military station because I did not have a license in North Carolina. The time and cost of obtaining and maintaining licenses for every state that we moved was cost prohibitive and a barrier to work. Now that my husband has retired from active duty, we remain in Virginia for our children to graduate high school and attend one of Virginia’s many accredited state colleges. I hope to advocate for speech-language pathology and audiology services for Virginians. The https://aslpcompact.com/compact-map/ includes 15 states that allow for a speech-language pathologist or audiologist to practice without obtaining and maintaining another state license. This is important because we have military spouses in Prince William County. We have a shortage of speech therapy service providers. Virginians with hearing loss need access to quality audiology services. With the interstate compact, expansion of services to residents in rural areas closer to West Virginia and North Carolina and Maryland have access to more service providers and options for telehealth. Audiologists and SLPs are trained to identify, assess, treat, and manage speech, language, feeding/swallowing, cognitive, hearing, and balance disorders. It is critical that the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact be successfully operationalized and expanded, that licensure and certification requirements be preserved, and that the ability to practice to the fullest extent of one’s education and training be supported. Please consider supporting the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact. Thank you for taking the time to read my comments in support of this bill to support the people I love and the profession I adore. I work with children who do not communicate with verbal language. I work with patients who will need care for their entire lives. My patients deserve access to care throughout their lifetime. This bill would ensure access to more providers and get Virginia on board with the surrounding states.

I support this bill.

I support this bill

As a SLP that is licensed in VA, please consider allowing SLPs that are licensed in other states to be allotted a reciprocal license in our state. I work in the public school in VA and it has been so hard for us to obtain staff due to licensing issues and an overall SLP shortage and it’s taking a toll on all of the current SLPs in the state. Not having to worry about applying for an additional license would soften the burden for many SLPs and open up more potential people to work in our state and help with the shortage. Kids are really in need of our services following the pandemic and this would make it one less thing for SLPs to have to obtain. Thank you for your consideration. Please reach out should you have additional questions or concerns.

I support this bill as an SLP in Manassas City

As a military spouse the interstate compact would change the way I am able to function as a working member of society and how I am able to help provide for my family. I have had to apply for licenses in 4 different states and have been not able to work for several months after each post due to waiting for new licensure. Each time, I am also required to pay a large sum of money for licensure that will likely only be used for a short time. Please consider passing this bill to allow spouses more freedom in the workplace.

Comments Document

Attached please find the opinion of the United States Department of Defense in written testimony supporting the policies reflected in House Bill 2033, the Audiology and Speech Language Pathology Interstate Compact. Congress has required the Department to enter into a cooperative agreement with the Council of State Governments to develop licensing compacts and alleviate the barriers military families face to interstate mobility.

Comments Document

On behalf of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, I write to support HB 2033, which adopts the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC). The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 223,000 members and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel; and students. Over 4,800 ASHA members reside in Virginia.1 ASHA members often have difficulty obtaining multiple state licenses to practice due to administrative burdens. These burdens hinder their ability to provide quality services and restrict consumer access in underserved and rural communities. I am pleased to support HB 2033, which will address these issues by: • Increasing access to care for clients, patients, and/or students; and • facilitating continuity of care when clients, patients, and/or students relocate or travel to another state, specifically with members of the military and their spouses. Passage of this bill would allow Virginia to enjoy the same benefits of the 23 other ASLP-IC member states, including the neighboring states of Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina. The United States Department of Defense State Liaison Office joins ASHA in supporting HB 2033.

Comments Document

On behalf of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, I write to support HB 2033, which adopts the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC). The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 223,000 members and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel; and students. Over 4,800 ASHA members reside in Virginia. ASHA members often have difficulty obtaining multiple state licenses to practice due to administrative burdens. These burdens hinder their ability to provide quality services and restrict consumer access in underserved and rural communities. I am pleased to support HB 2033, which will address these issues by: • Increasing access to care for clients, patients, and/or students; and • facilitating continuity of care when clients, patients, and/or students relocate or travel to another state, specifically with members of the military and their spouses. Passage of this bill would allow Virginia to enjoy the same benefits of the 23 other ASLP-IC member states, including the neighboring states of Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina. The United States Department of Defense State Liaison Office joins ASHA in supporting HB 2033.

Chairman Walker: My name is Robert Sullivan. I live at 17341 Great Falls Circle, Moseley, Virginia. I am writing in support of Virginia House Bill 2073 "Interstate Medical Licensure Compact and Commission; created". My wife, Lori Sullivan, is suffering from Stage IV soft tissue sarcoma that has spread to her lungs and is inoperable. Sarcoma is a rare form of cancer that accounts for 1% of all cancers in the United States. Her form - malignant ossifying fibromyxoid tumor - accounts for about 1% of these. Hers is a very rare case. The cancer cannot be cured and we can only hope to delay its progress. She is receiving chemotherapy treatment at the Cancer Massey Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, in Richmond. VCU/Massey is a fine hospital and we are content with the treatment there. But because there is so little known about my wife's cancer we have twice traveled to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, for additional evaluation and diagnosis. MD Anderson is considered to be the finest cancer center in the United States and has specialists familiar with Lori's particular type. Lori’s diagnosis was confirmed only after she was evaluated at MD Anderson. This was almost a year after being misdiagnosed locally . The latest course of treatment she is receiving at VCU has been under the direction of the specialists at MD Anderson. Although we have twice been to MD Anderson it is 1300 miles away from our home in Virginia. During chemotherapy it is normal to have further testing done and consultations with the treating specialists. For us this means traveling back and forth to Texas. It is a burden and expense we would prefer not to have. On top of the anxiety we're experiencing because of the illness, traveling such a long distance is getting even more difficult because of the toxic effects of her chemotherapy. Being able to confer with the MD Anderson doctors without having to travel there would be a great benefit to Lori. She has established a doctor-patient relationship in person already. Using telemedicine for these follow-up visits seems like a common sense approach given the circumstances. The doctors at VCU are personally quite understanding and are supportive of us conferring with the MD Anderson specialists via video conference. The Commonwealth of Virginia, however, prohibits this. I believe HB 2073 will eliminate one obstacle to my wife's treatment. I have been told that objections to this bill are that it has a large fiscal impact and that it is opposed by the Medical Society. As for the fiscal impact I cannot speak. I can say, however, that failure to pass this bill has a large fiscal impact on me and my wife. I believe a lot of Virginia residents would benefit from passage of this Bill. Regarding the Medical Society, I believe that there is strong public sentiment to remove barriers to access in many industries and that these barriers can often take the form of well-meaning restrictions. Rather than protect the public I believe these restrictions often serve only the self-interest of established centers of power. We inhibit innovation, fail to take advantage of technological changes, hide with the comfort of the status quo, at the risk of our development and that of future generations. The free enterprise system is the most productive supplier of human needs and economic justice.

HB 2276 Immunization; immunization of children against COVID-19 Informed consent is the basis of medical ethics. Parents should make decisions regarding the health and wellbeing of their children. COVID-19 vaccines do not prevent viral transmission so there is no justification for requiring these vaccines as a requirement for school attendance. This bill specifies that parents shall not be required to immunize their children against COVID-19 in the same manner current Virginia law allows them to determine whether to give them the Haemophilus Influenzae Type b vaccine. In 2020, when the legislature considered and passed HB 1090, which dealt with the manner in which future childhood vaccines would be considered, legislators and their experts confirmed the legislature’s support for keeping parents in charge of their child’s vaccination schedule. In 2021, the Virginia Department of Health proposed a regulation requiring the COVID-19 vaccine as a requirement for school attendance. More than 15,000 Virginians commented on the regulation, with overwhelming opposition (93%) to mandating the shot. Medical professionals around the world are in agreement that there is no scientific rationale for continuing any COVID-19 mandates in 2023 and beyond. HB 2280 Parental consent to surgical and medical treatment of certain minors This bill requires parents and guardians to consent to medical interventions concerning their children, including vaccination. It is important to amend current law to make it clear that parents are in control and make medical decisions for their children. Several cities have attempted to pass orders and laws that allow children as young as 11 years of age to consent to vaccination without parental knowledge! Please do not let this happen in Virginia. Please support this bill to send a clear message that in Virginia, parents are in control and they decide what medical interventions their children receive.

HB 2276 Immunization; immunization of children against COVID-19 Informed consent is the basis of medical ethics. Parents should make decisions regarding the health and wellbeing of their children. COVID-19 vaccines do not prevent viral transmission so there is no justification for requiring these vaccines as a requirement for school attendance. This bill specifies that parents shall not be required to immunize their children against COVID-19 in the same manner current Virginia law allows them to determine whether to give them the Haemophilus Influenzae Type b vaccine. In 2020, when the legislature considered and passed HB 1090, which dealt with the manner in which future childhood vaccines would be considered, legislators and their experts confirmed the legislature’s support for keeping parents in charge of their child’s vaccination schedule. In 2021, the Virginia Department of Health proposed a regulation requiring the COVID-19 vaccine as a requirement for school attendance. More than 15,000 Virginians commented on the regulation, with overwhelming opposition (93%) to mandating the shot. Medical professionals around the world are in agreement that there is no scientific rationale for continuing any COVID-19 mandates in 2023 and beyond. HB 2280 Parental consent to surgical and medical treatment of certain minors This bill requires parents and guardians to consent to medical interventions concerning their children, including vaccination. It is important to amend current law to make it clear that parents are in control and make medical decisions for their children. Several cities have attempted to pass orders and laws that allow children as young as 11 years of age to consent to vaccination without parental knowledge! Please do not let this happen in Virginia. Please support this bill to send a clear message that in Virginia, parents are in control and they decide what medical interventions their children receive.

My husband and I were barred from visiting our 44 year old son who was being treated in a hospital in Roanoke Virginia October/November 2021. He died after 3 weeks in ICU. He was admitted with symptoms of what was then called "COVID 19". We were not allowed to visit our son in person. We were able to see him and speak to him (he was unconscious and on a ventilator) via FaceTime. On his final day, when he was only being kept alive with drugs and machines, we were allowed in the room with him. His teen-aged children (ages 14 & 16) were only allowed to be with their father if we agreed to "comfort care" which meant agreeing to turn off the machines on the final day. They never got to be with their father before his actual death. I could tell when we entered his room on that final day he had passed away already. The safety requirements on this "COVID floor" must have been minimal as none of the staff wore PPE except for masks. We were also required to wear masks. What was the danger to ANYONE if we visited our son when he still had life in his body? It certainly wasn't danger of an infection. Had that been the case every doctor and nurse in the unit would have been covered top to bottom with PPE.

After 7 am meeting, then this one. HB 1689 - Please move to report. No one should die without benefit of spiritual help. *HB 1864 - No person should be required to input into their bodies something they don't want there, just to keep their job. We're not North Korea. *HB 1889 - Data shows that they are not at great risk of disease. HB 2057 - Why should people who have worked and paid thousands of dollars for decades, by denied Social Security because those who violated the law came here? Why shouldn't we put infrastructure and improve schools for African American communities FIRST BEFORE any others? Why do they deserve any thing before our veterans? Please PBI this bill. HB 2160 - In honor of those who lost family/friends & weren't allowed to see them at the end, please move to report. HB 2276 - The data is clear: children are not at risk of death from COVID. HB 2293 - https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/articles/comparingdifferentinternationalmeasuresofexcessmortality/2022-12-20 Sweden and Norway were essentially tied for the lowest “[p]roportional all-cause excess-mortality scores” (which “measure[] the percentage change in the number of deaths compared to the expected number of deaths (based on the five-year average [from 2015 to 2019])” among the listed European countries, looking at data from Jan. 2020 to June 2022: Their excess mortality was up 2.7%, compared to, say, 5.2% for Denmark, 7.1% for Finland, and 11.8% for the Netherlands. They had the lowest all causes death rate since COVID arrived and didn't do these long, lengthy lockdowns. Sweden had lower rate avg. excess death percentages: https://reason.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ERGExcessMortality.xlsx https://www.baconsrebellion.com/wp/covid-19-update-still-lots-of-idle-hospital-capacity/ noted on 4/25/2000 Roanoke Valley had 80 cases, 6 hospitalizations and 0 deaths compared to Arlington with 764 cases, 137 hospitalizations, 29 deaths. Elective surgery was banned in both, although the whole of Roanoke Valley had 0 deaths. HB2489 - Please move to report so that men can be given the support to become strong fathers.

HB 1689 - Please move to report. No one should die without benefit of spiritual help. *HB 1864 - No person should be required to input into their bodies something they don't want there, just to keep their job. We're not North Korea. *HB 1889 - Data shows that they are not at great risk of disease. HB 2057 - Why should people who have worked and paid thousands of dollars for decades, by denied Social Security because those who violated the law came here? Why shouldn't we put infrastructure and improve schools for African American communities FIRST BEFORE any others? Why do they deserve any thing before our veterans? Please PBI this bill. HB 2160 - In honor of those who lost family/friends & weren't allowed to see them at the end, please move to report. HB 2276 - The data is clear: children are not at risk of death from COVID. HB 2293 - https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/articles/comparingdifferentinternationalmeasuresofexcessmortality/2022-12-20 Sweden and Norway were essentially tied for the lowest “[p]roportional all-cause excess-mortality scores” (which “measure[] the percentage change in the number of deaths compared to the expected number of deaths (based on the five-year average [from 2015 to 2019])” among the listed European countries, looking at data from Jan. 2020 to June 2022: Their excess mortality was up 2.7%, compared to, say, 5.2% for Denmark, 7.1% for Finland, and 11.8% for the Netherlands. They had the lowest all causes death rate since COVID arrived and didn't do these long, lengthy lockdowns. Sweden had lower rate avg. excess death percentages: https://reason.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ERGExcessMortality.xlsx https://www.baconsrebellion.com/wp/covid-19-update-still-lots-of-idle-hospital-capacity/ noted on 4/25/2000 Roanoke Valley had 80 cases, 6 hospitalizations and 0 deaths compared to Arlington with 764 cases, 137 hospitalizations, 29 deaths. Elective surgery was banned in both, although the whole of Roanoke Valley had 0 deaths. HB2489 - Please move to report so that men can be given the support to become strong fathers.

Opposed HB 2183 In the book "Outlier" by Maxwell Gladwell, it takes at least 10,000 hours to be excellent at what you do. Patients deserve the best. Five years should remain for NPs. Any clinician who is responsible for independently caring for patients needs to see the most expansive scope of complex cases possible. After medical school, a physician resident completes on average anywhere from 12,000 to 15,000 hours of supervised patient care before practicing autonomously. Conversely, some NP programs are entirely online, and some can be completed in as few as 2 years. Upon graduation of such a program, were HB 2183 to pass, a NP would be able to see patients entirely on their own after completing only 800 hours of clinical training as an NP.

HB 2276 Immunization; immunization of children against COVID-19 Informed consent is the basis of medical ethics. Parents should make decisions regarding the health and wellbeing of their children. COVID-19 vaccines do not prevent viral transmission so there is no justification for requiring these vaccines as a requirement for school attendance. This bill specifies that parents shall not be required to immunize their children against COVID-19 in the same manner current Virginia law allows them to determine whether to give them the Haemophilus Influenzae Type b vaccine. In 2020, when the legislature considered and passed HB 1090, which dealt with the manner in which future childhood vaccines would be considered, legislators and their experts confirmed the legislature’s support for keeping parents in charge of their child’s vaccination schedule. In 2021, the Virginia Department of Health proposed a regulation requiring the COVID-19 vaccine as a requirement for school attendance. More than 15,000 Virginians commented on the regulation, with overwhelming opposition (93%) to mandating the shot. Medical professionals around the world are in agreement that there is no scientific rationale for continuing any COVID-19 mandates in 2023 and beyond. HB 2280 Parental consent to surgical and medical treatment of certain minors This bill requires parents and guardians to consent to medical interventions concerning their children, including vaccination. It is important to amend current law to make it clear that parents are in control and make medical decisions for their children. Several cities have attempted to pass orders and laws that allow children as young as 11 years of age to consent to vaccination without parental knowledge! Please do not let this happen in Virginia. Please support this bill to send a clear message that in Virginia, parents are in control and they decide what medical interventions their children receive.

So many hardworking families cannot afford healthcare for themselves and for their children. ALL people deserve access to health care. As beloved children of God, we are to take care of one another, especially the “least of these” (Matthew 25:40).

I'm a part of the Crozet/Charlottesville community in Virginia. I'm also currently a student at William & Mary. As a person who believes that every human being should be surrounded in a community that loves and supports them, healthcare is one that I believe is not an exception. Please do not punish poor children for being poor. Please do not give them the anxiety of not being able to afford going to the hospital for being sick. Children deserve to grow up only focusing on being healthy and happy. Virginia should be a place of joy not a place where parents can't take their children to the hospital because they can't afford it. Without medical bills, parents can focus on providing more for their children like their education. Please say YES to this bill, don't deny a child the right to be healthy and cared for.

ACT supports HB2210 because we believe healthcare is a human right, and not a privilege that should only be accessible to a select few. Unfortunately, our current reality is that Black and Brown families (including immigrant families) are at the bottom of the totem pole when it comes to receiving meaningful access to such vital resources. At the bare minimum, members of the most vulnerable groups (i.e. low-income women and children) should be provided access to quality healthcare services. Unless something is done soon, we will continue to find ourselves in an ongoing healthcare crisis where vulnerable groups find themselves disproportionately disadvantaged. COVID-19 has ravaged our communities and along with the obvious health concerns, has caused housing instability and income insecurity. As a result, families now find themselves with limited options and having to make hard-hitting decisions. With bills like HB2210, we now have an opportunity to lessen the negative impacts of the pandemic and make sure that vulnerable groups are able to avoid the additional burden of accruing substantial medical bills. State lawmakers should take action this legislative session and invest $19.3 million over the next two fiscal years to ensure 13,000 children don’t have to spend another year without adequate medical care. HB 2210 offers an opportunity to address children’s health coverage disparities and prove that Virginia invests in EVERY child’s future.

On behalf of the members of the Virginia Coalition of Immigrant Rights (VACIR), I write to share our support for HB2210. VACIR is a multi-racial and multi-ethnic coalition of organizations to win dignity, power, and quality of life for all immigrant and refugee communities. This bill would improve health outcomes for immigrant children and allow more families to spend their hard-earned money on things like rent, food, and other essentials.

Health care is for all children is critical for the Commonwealth. Children without access to basic health care, without access to good preventive care, cannot learn well. Their illnesses affect the entire school and community. Due to frequent illness they may be unable to keep up with their peers, or to meet their achievement goals. Access to basic health care for all children builds strong healthy communities for Virginia.

Greetings Health Committee members, I'm Beatriz Amberman, Chair of the Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations. I write in support of HB 2210, on behalf of my organization. I ask respectfully that you vote in favor of investing n a healthier Virginia and addressing the need of approximately 88,000 children that don't have health coverage in Virginia. This is a smart decision that assures a healthier next generation of Virginians and fulfills the ideals of "One Nation under God". Regardless of religious affiliation, every spiritual community tells us to care for our children, which are the future of the nation. In economical terms, this will save us money that is usually spent by the use of Hospital Emergency Room visits. Please vote in favor of HB2210. Thank you.

Good Afternoon, My name is Alanna Baker and I am a Licensed Clinical Social worker working at UVA Medical Center. I draw on my experience from working within the hospital setting to speak today on HB 2210, the Comprehensive Children’s health care coverage program. However, I am not here on behalf of my employer but with National Association of Social Workers (NASW for short), Virginia Chapter; to encourage those on the committee to vote yes on this bill. According to the Commonwealth Institute, there are estimated to be at least 9,000 low income undocumented children in Virginia who are without insurance and another 4,000 who are underinsured. Every day, within the hospital setting our care teams see children experiencing acute medical conditions where the caregivers for these children have had to put off medical care due to the high costs of care and lack of insurance. In the course of that patient encounter, the social workers are often asked to assist the families to get connected to resources which typically have long waiting lists for “charity services”, lack of funding, no providers for services, or in many cases just do not exist for those without insurance. I also want to be transparent even our larger healthcare facilities in the state that can offer financial assistance for services but barriers exist there too for access to care in many cases. For example, that financial assistance only will provide coverage for services within that hospital’s family of services. It limits the providers to who are available and within the scheduling capabilities they have, which can mean long waits to get an appointment to see a provider. Also, a patient/family have to be in the service area or willing/able to travel to the service area for care which can be a financial burden for those already struggling to make ends meet. It is well documented that preventative care and access to care lowers health care costs by preventing and treating diseased before they require emergency care. The creation of a Comprehensive Children’s Healthcare Coverage plan which will remove the barrier of immigration status, we can ensure all the children in the Commonwealth have access to medical, dental, mental health, and preventative services when they need it. Something that all children should have. Thank you for your time.

I support HB 2210 to provide comprehensive, affordable health care to all children in Virginia. I believe adequate health care is essential, to allow children to develop their full potential.

The Lung Association believes that every child in Virginia should have access to affordable and comprehensive health coverage. House Bill 2210 would get us closer to that reality by creating a health coverage program available to all children in Virginia, regardless of immigration status. This policy change would offer a new and affordable health coverage option to almost 1 in 10 (10.2%) uninsured children in Virginia. Federal law prohibits children with an undocumented immigration status from accessing health coverage through Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. Virginia should join 12 other states and the District of Columbia who currently uses or plans to use state-only funds to cover income-eligible children in Medicaid/CHIP who are otherwise ineligible due to immigration status. This program would mirror Virginia Medicaid/FAMIS enrollment, eligibility processes, and income eligibility levels and benefits would include behavioral health, dental, and preventative care services. The Lung Association strongly supports this bill as a way of increasing access to healthcare for all Virginians. Please vote yes on HB 2210 to make sure that 13,000 children, don’t have to spend yet another year without adequate healthcare coverage.

I am writing as a certified nurse midwife who provides birth services in Richmond outside of the hospital. My clients that choose home birth and birth center birth deserve unfettered access to this vital screening without the high cost of the testing. This is a government required test, and yet the burden of its cost falls squarely on either the patient themselves or on the provider. These costs add up in even the large practice setting of a hospital. The cost to a small scale midwifery business can easily make or break the bottom line. Practices like mine in Richmond are dwindling. It is so hard to keep doors open in these tiny practices with the many costs and barriers to practice that currently exist. Removing this barrier of the cost of newborn screening would have a positive impact on small business growth in Virginia as well as increasing patient access to their desired form of high quality, personalized care.

I would like to offer my support in favor of House Bill 2224 which seeks to remove the fee for newborn metabolic screening. The newborn metabolic screen is required by law and is an important early step in newborn care the helps to identify serious but rare health conditions at birth. The test can be cost prohibitive for families that do not have adequate health coverage or for those who give birth in a birth center or at home and then need to present to a lab facility or hospital to have the test performed. It would be a great step forward in newborn and pediatric care if the newborn screening test was performed at no cost to parents, guardians, hospitals or health care providers.

My name is Nichole Wardlaw and I am a Certified Nurse Midwife speaking in favor of HB 2224 which will remove the cost associated with the metabolic screening test for newborns. As an American Midwifery Certification Board midwife with 17 years of experience and trained at the Medical University of SC I have chosen to work in communities of color where my presence as a black midwife has been more effective. I also chose to leave the hospital system in 2020 to do home or community birth so that parents who have low risk can have a choice in where they would like to give birth. It is in this setting where parents are forced to decide if they can afford to get the metabolic screening done. The cost is $137 and all insurance companies do not cover the cost. This leaves my colleagues and me to either absorb the cost or pass the cost on to the parents. It is unfair to have a state-mandated test that is beneficial in screening for disabilities not be available for every child born here. It is cost prohibitive and every child may not be afforded the test. If we want to reduce disparities, we should offer these types of screening tests for free. In conclusion, I thank you for your time and leave you with this quote “Change will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” Barack Obama

Good Morning! I am Leslie Payne, a community-based midwife serving the central region of Virginia. I would very much like you to support HB 2224. As you know, the metabolic screening of newborns in Virginia saves lives and is critically important to the children and families of the Commonwealth. I serve families in 4 different Amish communities. This screening is particularly important in their communities where the gene pool is small and these disorders show up more often than they do in my "English" (as the Amish call the rest of us) families. Over the years I have seen several children who are now living normal lives because their condition was discovered through the Newborn Screening Program and they are being successfully treated from the beginning of life. These families have very little money. In order to make sure their babies are screened, I often need to foot the bill myself (upwards of $150 for the screening card and equipment to perform the screen). Since about 75 percent of my clientele is Amish, this costs a good bit every year. I feel compelled to do this because the screening is so important for these families and the impact of an untreated child is significant, financially, medically, and emotionally. But it is a financial burden for me. Thank you for considering this bill which would benefit so many of the families I and other midwives serve. Sincerely, Leslie M. Payne, CPM Lynchburg, VA

Charging for the newborn screening cards that are required by law puts an undue financial burden on providers. Many independent providers are not in network with health insurance, and even when they are, insurance will either not cover the tests, or they reimburse far less than the cost of the test. We lose money on every single one.

Additional costs for state mandated testing of the newborn can be a financial burden to families giving birth out of the hospital or with no insurance coverage. These families may choose not to consent to Newborn Metabolic Screening due to the costs of the testing. If the state of VA is mandated testing, that financial burden should not lay upon the parents. It should be the state’s responsibility to provide for and cover testing costs. I support HB 2224 so that my clients can have accessible and affordable Newborn Metabolic Screening.

Please support state funding of HB 2224! The cost of newborn screening is a legitimate and prudent use of taxpayer funds. Every single newly born VA citizen should have access to this important screening tool regardless of location of birth and ability to pay. Testing for and identifying the disorders and diseases screened for at birth will save the state funds in the long run. Thank you!

*Please support HB 2224 so that newborn screening tests shall be performed at no cost to parents, guardians, hospitals or health care providers. The $138 fee for the state-mandated newborn metabolic screening is an unnecessary barrier to this important screening test for newborns. This is especially a barrier for licensed midwives in Virginia who serve families with Medicaid, as Medicaid only reimburses these providers 75 % of the actual fee. This means that it is actually costing licensed midwives $34.50 each time they provide this important screening test for newborns; and they are not receiving any compensation for the time/skill it takes to provide this critical service. As a Certified Nurse Midwife, I rarely get reimbursed from private insurance companies for this state-mandated service.

I am a CPM community midwife who is licensed in Maryland and Virginia and also practices in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. I have seen firsthand the impact of the fee for screening drive families’ decisionmaking surrounding the fee. The vast majority of my MD, WV and PA clients opt to have the newborn screening done as there is no financial burden on their part; the clients more frequently decline the newborn screening for financial concerns when given the option in Virginia even when risk/benefit and informed choice is given. Families birthing out of hospital are already bearing the greater responsibility of cash-pay or low out of network coverage for their safe out of hospital birth choice. Let them continue to make safe evidence based choices without further financial burden involved.

HB 2276 Immunization; immunization of children against COVID-19 Informed consent is the basis of medical ethics. Parents should make decisions regarding the health and wellbeing of their children. COVID-19 vaccines do not prevent viral transmission so there is no justification for requiring these vaccines as a requirement for school attendance. This bill specifies that parents shall not be required to immunize their children against COVID-19 in the same manner current Virginia law allows them to determine whether to give them the Haemophilus Influenzae Type b vaccine. In 2020, when the legislature considered and passed HB 1090, which dealt with the manner in which future childhood vaccines would be considered, legislators and their experts confirmed the legislature’s support for keeping parents in charge of their child’s vaccination schedule. In 2021, the Virginia Department of Health proposed a regulation requiring the COVID-19 vaccine as a requirement for school attendance. More than 15,000 Virginians commented on the regulation, with overwhelming opposition (93%) to mandating the shot. Medical professionals around the world are in agreement that there is no scientific rationale for continuing any COVID-19 mandates in 2023 and beyond. HB 2280 Parental consent to surgical and medical treatment of certain minors This bill requires parents and guardians to consent to medical interventions concerning their children, including vaccination. It is important to amend current law to make it clear that parents are in control and make medical decisions for their children. Several cities have attempted to pass orders and laws that allow children as young as 11 years of age to consent to vaccination without parental knowledge! Please do not let this happen in Virginia. Please support this bill to send a clear message that in Virginia, parents are in control and they decide what medical interventions their children receive.

HB 2276 Immunization; immunization of children against COVID-19 Informed consent is the basis of medical ethics. Parents should make decisions regarding the health and wellbeing of their children. COVID-19 vaccines do not prevent viral transmission so there is no justification for requiring these vaccines as a requirement for school attendance. This bill specifies that parents shall not be required to immunize their children against COVID-19 in the same manner current Virginia law allows them to determine whether to give them the Haemophilus Influenzae Type b vaccine. In 2020, when the legislature considered and passed HB 1090, which dealt with the manner in which future childhood vaccines would be considered, legislators and their experts confirmed the legislature’s support for keeping parents in charge of their child’s vaccination schedule. In 2021, the Virginia Department of Health proposed a regulation requiring the COVID-19 vaccine as a requirement for school attendance. More than 15,000 Virginians commented on the regulation, with overwhelming opposition (93%) to mandating the shot. Medical professionals around the world are in agreement that there is no scientific rationale for continuing any COVID-19 mandates in 2023 and beyond. HB 2280 Parental consent to surgical and medical treatment of certain minors This bill requires parents and guardians to consent to medical interventions concerning their children, including vaccination. It is important to amend current law to make it clear that parents are in control and make medical decisions for their children. Several cities have attempted to pass orders and laws that allow children as young as 11 years of age to consent to vaccination without parental knowledge! Please do not let this happen in Virginia. Please support this bill to send a clear message that in Virginia, parents are in control and they decide what medical interventions their children receive.

HB 2276 Immunization; immunization of children against COVID-19 Informed consent is the basis of medical ethics. Parents should make decisions regarding the health and wellbeing of their children. COVID-19 vaccines do not prevent viral transmission so there is no justification for requiring these vaccines as a requirement for school attendance. This bill specifies that parents shall not be required to immunize their children against COVID-19 in the same manner current Virginia law allows them to determine whether to give them the Haemophilus Influenzae Type b vaccine. In 2020, when the legislature considered and passed HB 1090, which dealt with the manner in which future childhood vaccines would be considered, legislators and their experts confirmed the legislature’s support for keeping parents in charge of their child’s vaccination schedule. In 2021, the Virginia Department of Health proposed a regulation requiring the COVID-19 vaccine as a requirement for school attendance. More than 15,000 Virginians commented on the regulation, with overwhelming opposition (93%) to mandating the shot. Medical professionals around the world are in agreement that there is no scientific rationale for continuing any COVID-19 mandates in 2023 and beyond. HB 2280 Parental consent to surgical and medical treatment of certain minors This bill requires parents and guardians to consent to medical interventions concerning their children, including vaccination. It is important to amend current law to make it clear that parents are in control and make medical decisions for their children. Several cities have attempted to pass orders and laws that allow children as young as 11 years of age to consent to vaccination without parental knowledge! Please do not let this happen in Virginia. Please support this bill to send a clear message that in Virginia, parents are in control and they decide what medical interventions their children receive.

Concerned committee members, I am addressing bills HB2276 and HB2280 of which both I am in favor of. I feel it’s wrong to not include parents as that is detrimental to the relationship between parent and child . All parents should be able to make decisions on any medical procedure that affects their child. Government is there to protect that right not replace it.

Comments Document

The mission of the Virginia Chapter of Children’s Health Defense is to restore and protect the health of children by eliminating exposures to environmental toxins, holding responsible parties accountable, and establishing safeguards to prevent future harm to children’s health. We are writing to ask for your support for HB 2276 that we and our more than 15,000 supporters strongly support. HB 2276 Immunization; immunization of children against COVID-19: As a science-based organization, we support the numerous medical professionals around the world that are now in agreement that there is no scientific rationale for continuing any COVID-19 mandates in 2023 and beyond. In addition, we believe informed consent is the basis of medical ethics and that parents should make decisions regarding the health and wellbeing of their children. Lastly, because available COVID-19 vaccines fail to prevent viral transmission there is no justification for requiring these vaccines as a requirement for school attendance. For these reasons, mandates for COVID-19 vaccines are scientifically, ethically and logically indefensible. HB 2276 specifies that parents shall not be required to immunize their children against COVID-19 in the same manner current Virginia law allows them to determine whether to give them the Haemophilus Influenzae Type b immunization vaccine. In 2020, when the legislature considered and passed HB 1090, which dealt with the manner in which future childhood vaccines would be considered, legislators and their experts confirmed the legislature’s support for keeping parents in charge of their child’s vaccination schedule. In 2021, the Virginia Department of Health proposed a regulation requiring the COVID-19 vaccine as a requirement for school attendance. More than 15,000 Virginians commented on the regulation with the vast majority (93%) opposing. Please recognize the overwhelming opposition to including the COVID-19 vaccines as a requirement for school attendance by supporting HB 2276. Children's Health Defense Virginia Chapter

Please see attached letter from Children's Health Defense Virginia Chapter. Thank you.

Medical professionals around the world are in agreement that there is no scientific rationale for continuing any COVID-19 mandates in 2023 and beyond. COVID-19 vaccines do not prevent viral transmission so there is no justification for mandating these vaccines as a requirement for school attendance. There have been many stories concerning the adverse affect/ even deaths caused by this vaccine therefore it should not be mandated upon our children. Parents should not be required to immunize their children with COVID-19 vaccines. Thank you for voting for this bill, Respectfully, M. Macomber

After 7 am meeting, then this one. HB 1689 - Please move to report. No one should die without benefit of spiritual help. *HB 1864 - No person should be required to input into their bodies something they don't want there, just to keep their job. We're not North Korea. *HB 1889 - Data shows that they are not at great risk of disease. HB 2057 - Why should people who have worked and paid thousands of dollars for decades, by denied Social Security because those who violated the law came here? Why shouldn't we put infrastructure and improve schools for African American communities FIRST BEFORE any others? Why do they deserve any thing before our veterans? Please PBI this bill. HB 2160 - In honor of those who lost family/friends & weren't allowed to see them at the end, please move to report. HB 2276 - The data is clear: children are not at risk of death from COVID. HB 2293 - https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/articles/comparingdifferentinternationalmeasuresofexcessmortality/2022-12-20 Sweden and Norway were essentially tied for the lowest “[p]roportional all-cause excess-mortality scores” (which “measure[] the percentage change in the number of deaths compared to the expected number of deaths (based on the five-year average [from 2015 to 2019])” among the listed European countries, looking at data from Jan. 2020 to June 2022: Their excess mortality was up 2.7%, compared to, say, 5.2% for Denmark, 7.1% for Finland, and 11.8% for the Netherlands. They had the lowest all causes death rate since COVID arrived and didn't do these long, lengthy lockdowns. Sweden had lower rate avg. excess death percentages: https://reason.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ERGExcessMortality.xlsx https://www.baconsrebellion.com/wp/covid-19-update-still-lots-of-idle-hospital-capacity/ noted on 4/25/2000 Roanoke Valley had 80 cases, 6 hospitalizations and 0 deaths compared to Arlington with 764 cases, 137 hospitalizations, 29 deaths. Elective surgery was banned in both, although the whole of Roanoke Valley had 0 deaths. HB2489 - Please move to report so that men can be given the support to become strong fathers.

HB 1689 - Please move to report. No one should die without benefit of spiritual help. *HB 1864 - No person should be required to input into their bodies something they don't want there, just to keep their job. We're not North Korea. *HB 1889 - Data shows that they are not at great risk of disease. HB 2057 - Why should people who have worked and paid thousands of dollars for decades, by denied Social Security because those who violated the law came here? Why shouldn't we put infrastructure and improve schools for African American communities FIRST BEFORE any others? Why do they deserve any thing before our veterans? Please PBI this bill. HB 2160 - In honor of those who lost family/friends & weren't allowed to see them at the end, please move to report. HB 2276 - The data is clear: children are not at risk of death from COVID. HB 2293 - https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/articles/comparingdifferentinternationalmeasuresofexcessmortality/2022-12-20 Sweden and Norway were essentially tied for the lowest “[p]roportional all-cause excess-mortality scores” (which “measure[] the percentage change in the number of deaths compared to the expected number of deaths (based on the five-year average [from 2015 to 2019])” among the listed European countries, looking at data from Jan. 2020 to June 2022: Their excess mortality was up 2.7%, compared to, say, 5.2% for Denmark, 7.1% for Finland, and 11.8% for the Netherlands. They had the lowest all causes death rate since COVID arrived and didn't do these long, lengthy lockdowns. Sweden had lower rate avg. excess death percentages: https://reason.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ERGExcessMortality.xlsx https://www.baconsrebellion.com/wp/covid-19-update-still-lots-of-idle-hospital-capacity/ noted on 4/25/2000 Roanoke Valley had 80 cases, 6 hospitalizations and 0 deaths compared to Arlington with 764 cases, 137 hospitalizations, 29 deaths. Elective surgery was banned in both, although the whole of Roanoke Valley had 0 deaths. HB2489 - Please move to report so that men can be given the support to become strong fathers.

The following are important reasons for why this bill should be passed: Informed consent is the basis of medical ethics. Parents should make decisions regarding the health and well being of their children. COVID-19 vaccines do not prevent viral transmission so there is no justification for requiring these vaccines as a requirement for school attendance. This bill specifies that parents shall not be required to immunize their children against COVID-19 in the same manner current Virginia law allows them to determine whether to give them the Haemophilus Influenzae Type b vaccine. In 2020, when the legislature considered and passed HB 1090, which dealt with the manner in which future childhood vaccines would be considered, legislators and their experts confirmed the legislature’s support for keeping parents in charge of their child’s vaccination schedule. In 2021, the Virginia Department of Health proposed a regulation requiring the COVID-19 vaccine as a requirement for school attendance. More than 15,000 Virginians commented on the regulation, with overwhelming opposition (93%) to mandating the shot. Medical professionals around the world are in agreement that there is no scientific rationale for continuing any COVID-19 mandates in 2023 and beyond. Sincerely, John Macomber

I support the 2276 and 2280 bills. Please, protect the children and parents rights. This is good for the parents and children. Thanks!

To the House Committee and current delegates, I am writing to support Delegate LaRock and to reiterare that parents should not be required to vaccine their children against Covid 19 for any reason, but in particular, when it comes to attending school. It is beyond conceivable that this could even be an issue, as we've known from the start that children are more susceptible to have complications from the flu than from Covid 19. It is also now common knowledge that the vaccine has proven pathetic. in its efficacy, as one can still get, give and replicate the virus that is Covid 19. This decision should always rest with the parents informed consent regarding the welfare of their children, and will hopefully continue to draw attention to the misuse of vaccine schedules in their entirety (i.e taking the 12-17 vaccines required in my day, to the numbers of upwards 72 currently, as well as lumping vaccines together without knowing the potential repercussions). Thank you for your time and we are all counting on you to do right by America's children. Sincerely, Holly Rhode

I am in favor of both of these bills. Please allow parents to be in control of their children's medical procedures and please do not mandate the ineffective and dangerous gene therapy shot to attend schools. It would be disasterous and you would see people leave the public school system in droves. Thank you for your time and support.

It is unethical to require children or anyone for that matter to forcefully receive a medication without proper long term studies of safety, efficacy or reproductive issues. Receiving such a medication should be at the discretion of the parents and should not be mandatory to attend school or athletic activities. I believe the information coming out now verifies that these drugs did not undergo proper long term studies and have unknown side effects. Moreover, children are a group least at risk for severe COVID problems. Forcing this drug on children is unethical!

Please vote in support of these bills on Jan 26th that will ensure parental rights in medical situations. Thank you for voting in such a way that reflects those that have voted you in in our state.

As Virginians, my family and I have decided to stand for medical freedom, and we are exercising our authority. Virginian parents have the legal right and responsibility based on Virginia code and the Constitution to made decisions regarding the health and welfare of their children. We are opposed to changing the code to allow for any COVID-19 mandates. We are entitled to informed consent based on medical ethics. Since COVID-19 vaccines do not prevent transmission of any disease they are useless and should not be required for school attendance. A precedent for not requiring it is found in the law for the Haemophilus Influenae Type b vaccine. Virginia house bill HB1090 confirmed legislative approval for parental authority over their children's vaccine schedule. Also, ninety-three percent of more than fifteen thousand Virginian parents spoke out against mandated shots in 2021 when the VDH proposed making the COVID shot a requirement for school attendance. All over the globe, medical professionals agree that science does not support COVID mandates now or in the future. Please vote yes to HB 2276 Immunization; immunization of children against covid-19 which will protect medical freedom in our state.

Experimental treatments cannot and must not be mandatory for attending anything. Even more so in regards to treatments with double digit percentage of people suffering terrible side effects and death. Virginia should not subject its children to such risk. It's sad that we need a bill for that, but we do. So please support this bill and all legislation in the same spirit.

The government should never have the right to mandate that anyone take a vaccination. In a country that espouses freedom, one must question whether freedom truly exists in our great nation, when, with the stroke of a pen, legislators can take away this freedom. Well before COVID-19 vaccinations were released, the CDC website indicated that children have a 99.997% chance of successfully healing from the virus. With such a high rate of successfully overcoming this virus, it is alarming to entertain the notion that a vaccine should be mandated for this. It's already established that the COVID-19 vaccination does not prevent transmission and, in many instances, the vaccination actually produces the virus, which blatantly defeats the purpose of having this vaccination. As a parent, I should have the right to make decisions that I deem best for my child. The ability to make a thoughtful and educated decision is dependent on informed consent. Before any vaccine is administered, parents should receive information on all of the possible side effects, so they can make an informed decision regarding whether or not to vaccinate their child. During the Pfizer trial, there were over 1,200 side effects noted and this information has been withheld from the public. We're hearing more and more of children experiencing myocarditis and pericarditis after receiving these injections and, no, there is no such thing as minor heart inflammation. To continually push a vaccine that has so many side effects, some of which are deadly, means there is a flagrant disregard in our society for life, especially the lives of our children. We must do better! We must be better! If you listen to any commercial about a pharmaceutical drug, you'll hear the excessive list of side effects. Recently, I heard a commercial about a drug to help with a skin rash. The side effects were death and a decreased immunity to Tuberculosis and some other diseases. Does this really make sense??? To believe that a vaccination is the cure-all to a virus or illness, when we rarely, if ever, have a medical drug that's produced without a side effect, is outlandish and ignorantly naive. Every body is different, which means not all bodies will react in the same manner to a medical drug or vaccination. The decisions that you make today will carry great ripple effects for our society. You will be remembered for your decision to either stand up for freedom and empowerment or to squash it. Choose freedom. Choose empowerment. Choose love. Love is freeing, uplifting, and empowering. It never feels the need to take away from - only to expand, heal, uplift, and renew. Please vote to allow parents the continued right to make vaccination decisions for their child.

HB 2276 Immunization; immunization of children against COVID-19 Informed consent is the basis of medical ethics. Parents should make decisions regarding the health and wellbeing of their children. COVID-19 vaccines do not prevent viral transmission so there is no justification for requiring these vaccines as a requirement for school attendance. This bill specifies that parents shall not be required to immunize their children against COVID-19 in the same manner current Virginia law allows them to determine whether to give them the Haemophilus Influenzae Type b vaccine. In 2020, when the legislature considered and passed HB 1090, which dealt with the manner in which future childhood vaccines would be considered, legislators and their experts confirmed the legislature’s support for keeping parents in charge of their child’s vaccination schedule. In 2021, the Virginia Department of Health proposed a regulation requiring the COVID-19 vaccine as a requirement for school attendance. More than 15,000 Virginians commented on the regulation, with overwhelming opposition (93%) to mandating the shot. Medical professionals around the world are in agreement that there is no scientific rationale for continuing any COVID-19 mandates in 2023 and beyond. HB 2280 Parental consent to surgical and medical treatment of certain minors This bill requires parents and guardians to consent to medical interventions concerning their children, including vaccination. It is important to amend current law to make it clear that parents are in control and make medical decisions for their children. Several cities have attempted to pass orders and laws that allow children as young as 11 years of age to consent to vaccination without parental knowledge! Please do not let this happen in Virginia. Please support this bill to send a clear message that in Virginia, parents are in control and they decide what medical interventions their children receive.

HB 2276 Immunization; immunization of children against COVID-19 Informed consent is the basis of medical ethics. Parents should make decisions regarding the health and wellbeing of their children. COVID-19 vaccines do not prevent viral transmission so there is no justification for requiring these vaccines as a requirement for school attendance. This bill specifies that parents shall not be required to immunize their children against COVID-19 in the same manner current Virginia law allows them to determine whether to give them the Haemophilus Influenzae Type b vaccine. In 2020, when the legislature considered and passed HB 1090, which dealt with the manner in which future childhood vaccines would be considered, legislators and their experts confirmed the legislature’s support for keeping parents in charge of their child’s vaccination schedule. In 2021, the Virginia Department of Health proposed a regulation requiring the COVID-19 vaccine as a requirement for school attendance. More than 15,000 Virginians commented on the regulation, with overwhelming opposition (93%) to mandating the shot. Medical professionals around the world are in agreement that there is no scientific rationale for continuing any COVID-19 mandates in 2023 and beyond. HB 2280 Parental consent to surgical and medical treatment of certain minors This bill requires parents and guardians to consent to medical interventions concerning their children, including vaccination. It is important to amend current law to make it clear that parents are in control and make medical decisions for their children. Several cities have attempted to pass orders and laws that allow children as young as 11 years of age to consent to vaccination without parental knowledge! Please do not let this happen in Virginia. Please support this bill to send a clear message that in Virginia, parents are in control and they decide what medical interventions their children receive.

Concerned committee members, I am addressing bills HB2276 and HB2280 of which both I am in favor of. I feel it’s wrong to not include parents as that is detrimental to the relationship between parent and child . All parents should be able to make decisions on any medical procedure that affects their child. Government is there to protect that right not replace it.

Comments Document

The mission of the Virginia Chapter of Children’s Health Defense is to restore and protect the health of children by eliminating exposures to environmental toxins, holding responsible parties accountable, and establishing safeguards to prevent future harm to children’s health. We are writing to ask for your support for HB 2280 that we and our more than 15,000 supporters strongly support. HB 2280 Parental consent to surgical and medical treatment of certain minors: Another bill we strongly support is HB 2280, which requires parents and guardians to consent to medical interventions concerning their children, including vaccination. Several municipalities around the country (Philadelphia , San Francisco , Kings County, WA, and Washington D.C. ) have either attempted to or have already passed orders and laws that allow children as young as 11 years of age to consent to vaccination without parental knowledge or consent. In Washington, D.C, the City Council adopted a particularly dangerous bill that not only would have allowed children as young as 11 to consent to vaccination but also would have allowed schools to hide from parents that their child had undergone a medical procedure. Fortunately, due to a successful lawsuit filed by our parent organization, this law was overturned . These are dangerous usurpations of parental rights by legislatures and public health authorities. Most states don’t allow children to consent to use tanning salons or get tattoos below the age of consent. To bypass parents and allow underage children to decide what gets injected into them is inconsistent with state laws, medical ethics, common sense, and optimal medical care of children. Please support HB 2280 to send a clear message that such dangerous legislative trends will not be supported in Virginia. Children's Health Defense Virginia Chapter

Please see attached letter from Children's Health Defense Virginia Chapter. Thank you.

This bill requires written informed consent from the parent or guardian of any minor prior to any non-emergency surgical or medical treatment, mental health treatment, or immunization of a minor. If this minor were your child, would this be too much to ask? Parents should be responsible for making medical decisions for their minor children. Please vote for this bill. Thank You. M. Macomber

I support the 2276 and 2280 bills. Please, protect the children and parents rights. This is good for the parents and children. Thanks!

To the House Committee and all Delegates, please support bill 2280 allowing informed consent to rest solely in the hands of the parents of children in question. It is beyond unfathomable that we have arrived at a point within our supposedly free society, wherein medical ethics would even consider removing this right from families knowing what is best for the health and well being of their own children. That is, in fact, a society devoid of all ethics if our health is no longer our own. The facts stand that Covid 19 is less an issue for children than influenza, and that one can still get, give and replicate this virus despite having received this vaccine,; thereby rendering this supposed vaccine one that demands further study and scrutiny for one and all. Thank you for your time and for reevaluating and supporting a parent's natural role in the welfare of their own children. Sincerely, Holly Rhode

I am in favor of both of these bills. Please allow parents to be in control of their children's medical procedures and please do not mandate the ineffective and dangerous gene therapy shot to attend schools. It would be disasterous and you would see people leave the public school system in droves. Thank you for your time and support.

Please support HB 2280 Parental consent to surgical and medical treatment of certain minors! As Virginians, my husband and I determine what medical procedures our children will receive. You need to amend current law for clarification purposes to say that we, the parents, are in control over medical interventions for our children such as the COVID-19 shot. Some cities are pushing for children as young as eleven years of age to decide to the injection without their parents' consent. Minors have no business making potentially life-altering decisions concerning vaccines since the shots can and do cause injury and death. We urge you to protect our Virginia youth, and vote for HB 2280. Thank you for your consideration.

Please vote in support of these bills on Jan 26th that will ensure parental rights in medical situations. Thank you for voting in such a way that reflects those that have voted you in in our state.

The government should never have the right to mandate that anyone take a vaccination. In a country that espouses freedom, one must question whether freedom truly exists in our great nation, when, with the stroke of a pen, legislators can take away this freedom. Well before COVID-19 vaccinations were released, the CDC website indicated that children have a 99.997% chance of successfully healing from the virus. With such a high rate of successfully overcoming this virus, it is alarming to entertain the notion that a vaccine should be mandated for this. It's already established that the COVID-19 vaccination does not prevent transmission and, in many instances, the vaccination actually produces the virus, which blatantly defeats the purpose of having this vaccination. As a parent, I should have the right to make decisions that I deem best for my child. The ability to make a thoughtful and educated decision is dependent on informed consent. Before any vaccine is administered, parents should receive information on all of the possible side effects, so they can make an informed decision regarding whether or not to vaccinate their child. During the Pfizer trial, there were over 1,200 side effects noted and this information has been withheld from the public. We're hearing more and more of children experiencing myocarditis and pericarditis after receiving these injections and, no, there is no such thing as minor heart inflammation. To continually push a vaccine that has so many side effects, some of which are deadly, means there is a flagrant disregard in our society for life, especially the lives of our children. We must do better! We must be better! If you listen to any commercial about a pharmaceutical drug, you'll hear the excessive list of side effects. Recently, I heard a commercial about a drug to help with a skin rash. The side effects were death and a decreased immunity to Tuberculosis and some other diseases. Does this really make sense??? To believe that a vaccination is the cure-all to a virus or illness, when we rarely, if ever, have a medical drug that's produced without a side effect, is outlandish and ignorantly naive. Every body is different, which means not all bodies will react in the same manner to a medical drug or vaccination. The decisions that you make today will carry great ripple effects for our society. You will be remembered for your decision to either stand up for freedom and empowerment or to squash it. Choose freedom. Choose empowerment. Choose love. Love is freeing, uplifting, and empowering. It never feels the need to take away from - only to expand, heal, uplift, and renew. Please vote to allow parents the continued right to make vaccination decisions for their child.

Parental consent should be required for all medical procedures and treatments of minors, including immunizations. Support bill HB2280.

When HB 2280 comes before you this week, I hope you will consider submitting a substitute bill that allows for mental health commitments when in the best interest of minors even without their consent, without removing their rights to seek medical care privately. While there are many situations in which 14 year olds should not be considered adults, being able to access medical, mental, and sexual health services are situations where we need to trust our kids to reach out for help. The current legislation that allows a minor 14 or over to seek health care and own their medical records is a grace that grants children who are afraid of informing their parents an option to receive necessary care. There are more children growing up with physically and mentally abusive parents than we’d like to believe who will not seek certain health services for fear of their parents finding out. As a parent, I want my child to be healthy, and I would rather they received care without my knowledge than that they allowed their mental and physical health to degrade out of fear or embarrassment. This bill will target children who don’t have other safe alternatives. Thank you.

HB 2276 Immunization; immunization of children against COVID-19 Informed consent is the basis of medical ethics. Parents should make decisions regarding the health and wellbeing of their children. COVID-19 vaccines do not prevent viral transmission so there is no justification for requiring these vaccines as a requirement for school attendance. This bill specifies that parents shall not be required to immunize their children against COVID-19 in the same manner current Virginia law allows them to determine whether to give them the Haemophilus Influenzae Type b vaccine. In 2020, when the legislature considered and passed HB 1090, which dealt with the manner in which future childhood vaccines would be considered, legislators and their experts confirmed the legislature’s support for keeping parents in charge of their child’s vaccination schedule. In 2021, the Virginia Department of Health proposed a regulation requiring the COVID-19 vaccine as a requirement for school attendance. More than 15,000 Virginians commented on the regulation, with overwhelming opposition (93%) to mandating the shot. Medical professionals around the world are in agreement that there is no scientific rationale for continuing any COVID-19 mandates in 2023 and beyond. HB 2280 Parental consent to surgical and medical treatment of certain minors This bill requires parents and guardians to consent to medical interventions concerning their children, including vaccination. It is important to amend current law to make it clear that parents are in control and make medical decisions for their children. Several cities have attempted to pass orders and laws that allow children as young as 11 years of age to consent to vaccination without parental knowledge! Please do not let this happen in Virginia. Please support this bill to send a clear message that in Virginia, parents are in control and they decide what medical interventions their children receive.

After 7 am meeting, then this one. HB 1689 - Please move to report. No one should die without benefit of spiritual help. *HB 1864 - No person should be required to input into their bodies something they don't want there, just to keep their job. We're not North Korea. *HB 1889 - Data shows that they are not at great risk of disease. HB 2057 - Why should people who have worked and paid thousands of dollars for decades, by denied Social Security because those who violated the law came here? Why shouldn't we put infrastructure and improve schools for African American communities FIRST BEFORE any others? Why do they deserve any thing before our veterans? Please PBI this bill. HB 2160 - In honor of those who lost family/friends & weren't allowed to see them at the end, please move to report. HB 2276 - The data is clear: children are not at risk of death from COVID. HB 2293 - https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/articles/comparingdifferentinternationalmeasuresofexcessmortality/2022-12-20 Sweden and Norway were essentially tied for the lowest “[p]roportional all-cause excess-mortality scores” (which “measure[] the percentage change in the number of deaths compared to the expected number of deaths (based on the five-year average [from 2015 to 2019])” among the listed European countries, looking at data from Jan. 2020 to June 2022: Their excess mortality was up 2.7%, compared to, say, 5.2% for Denmark, 7.1% for Finland, and 11.8% for the Netherlands. They had the lowest all causes death rate since COVID arrived and didn't do these long, lengthy lockdowns. Sweden had lower rate avg. excess death percentages: https://reason.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ERGExcessMortality.xlsx https://www.baconsrebellion.com/wp/covid-19-update-still-lots-of-idle-hospital-capacity/ noted on 4/25/2000 Roanoke Valley had 80 cases, 6 hospitalizations and 0 deaths compared to Arlington with 764 cases, 137 hospitalizations, 29 deaths. Elective surgery was banned in both, although the whole of Roanoke Valley had 0 deaths. HB2489 - Please move to report so that men can be given the support to become strong fathers.

HB 1689 - Please move to report. No one should die without benefit of spiritual help. *HB 1864 - No person should be required to input into their bodies something they don't want there, just to keep their job. We're not North Korea. *HB 1889 - Data shows that they are not at great risk of disease. HB 2057 - Why should people who have worked and paid thousands of dollars for decades, by denied Social Security because those who violated the law came here? Why shouldn't we put infrastructure and improve schools for African American communities FIRST BEFORE any others? Why do they deserve any thing before our veterans? Please PBI this bill. HB 2160 - In honor of those who lost family/friends & weren't allowed to see them at the end, please move to report. HB 2276 - The data is clear: children are not at risk of death from COVID. HB 2293 - https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/articles/comparingdifferentinternationalmeasuresofexcessmortality/2022-12-20 Sweden and Norway were essentially tied for the lowest “[p]roportional all-cause excess-mortality scores” (which “measure[] the percentage change in the number of deaths compared to the expected number of deaths (based on the five-year average [from 2015 to 2019])” among the listed European countries, looking at data from Jan. 2020 to June 2022: Their excess mortality was up 2.7%, compared to, say, 5.2% for Denmark, 7.1% for Finland, and 11.8% for the Netherlands. They had the lowest all causes death rate since COVID arrived and didn't do these long, lengthy lockdowns. Sweden had lower rate avg. excess death percentages: https://reason.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ERGExcessMortality.xlsx https://www.baconsrebellion.com/wp/covid-19-update-still-lots-of-idle-hospital-capacity/ noted on 4/25/2000 Roanoke Valley had 80 cases, 6 hospitalizations and 0 deaths compared to Arlington with 764 cases, 137 hospitalizations, 29 deaths. Elective surgery was banned in both, although the whole of Roanoke Valley had 0 deaths. HB2489 - Please move to report so that men can be given the support to become strong fathers.

Comments Document

Protecting Fundamental Rights in Virginia THE PROBLEM: The Infringement of Fundamental Rights in 2020 and 2021 From the Orders of Governor Northam and Commissioner Oliver Was Not Acceptable And Threaten the Future • For months on end in 2020 and 2021, two individuals --Governor Northam and Health Commissioner Oliver -- signed orders creating a vast regulatory scheme with constantly shifting standards, to subject millions of Virginians and tens of thousands of Virginia businesses to harmful and burdensome regulations, carrying the threat of criminal penalty. • These mandates shut down businesses the Governor or Commissioner deemed non-essential and infringed on multiple fundamental rights including their freedom of assembly, freedom of association, and free exercise of religion and purported to penalize churches and businesses that would not also infringe on these individual rights. PRINCIPLED REFORM: Virginia Needs Standards to Protect Against the Haphazard Incursion on the Rights of Virginians Among useful guardrail HB 2293: • Addresses both of the emergency authorities used in 2020 and 2021 —the Title 44 authority for the Governor and the Title 32 authority for the Health Commissioner • Establishes clear standards and requirements before the infringement of fundamental rights and substantial regulation of churches and business requiring 1) such rules or orders to be necessary and compelling, 2) to find that there are no reasonable alternatives and 3) to require rules or orders to be narrowly tailored. • Reduces the threats of criminal penalties for citizen actions so that the Governor and Health Commissioner cannot threaten citizens with a year in jail. • Limits the time for the operation of emergency rules or orders to make sure the legislature acts on such issues. • Provides for judicial review and the right of citizen review

HB 2276 Immunization; immunization of children against COVID-19 Informed consent is the basis of medical ethics. Parents should make decisions regarding the health and wellbeing of their children. COVID-19 vaccines do not prevent viral transmission so there is no justification for requiring these vaccines as a requirement for school attendance. This bill specifies that parents shall not be required to immunize their children against COVID-19 in the same manner current Virginia law allows them to determine whether to give them the Haemophilus Influenzae Type b vaccine. In 2020, when the legislature considered and passed HB 1090, which dealt with the manner in which future childhood vaccines would be considered, legislators and their experts confirmed the legislature’s support for keeping parents in charge of their child’s vaccination schedule. In 2021, the Virginia Department of Health proposed a regulation requiring the COVID-19 vaccine as a requirement for school attendance. More than 15,000 Virginians commented on the regulation, with overwhelming opposition (93%) to mandating the shot. Medical professionals around the world are in agreement that there is no scientific rationale for continuing any COVID-19 mandates in 2023 and beyond. HB 2280 Parental consent to surgical and medical treatment of certain minors This bill requires parents and guardians to consent to medical interventions concerning their children, including vaccination. It is important to amend current law to make it clear that parents are in control and make medical decisions for their children. Several cities have attempted to pass orders and laws that allow children as young as 11 years of age to consent to vaccination without parental knowledge! Please do not let this happen in Virginia. Please support this bill to send a clear message that in Virginia, parents are in control and they decide what medical interventions their children receive.

Comments Document

The attached letter voices support and urges the Committee to pass HB 2337.

I believe the passing of this bill is very important. I am a military wife who works as an OT in the outpatient setting and see OTs, PTs and SLPs moving all the time. Having to go to the process of licensure is long and tedious, delays care to patients as you await licensure and is an extra financial burden. Many military wives even choose not to work due to increases prices and decreased pay as it is, so this extra hurdle impacts the ability for people to get a new job. Across the board, licensed professionals are in shortage in many clinics that I work in and know of. This bill will help to keep therapists in jobs they love and give the flexibility to move without unnecessary paperwork and payments for licensure in new states. Thank you for your time!

I’m Tamara Netzel representing the Virginia Cannabis Patients group. I have Multiple Sclerosis and I rely on having cannabis in my system all the time to be able to function. HB2368 would make packaging more readable for patients instead of important information like Keep away from children or ingredients in tiny print or not on the package at all in some cases. Also, the dosage of each piece clearly on the package rather than just the total THC for the whole package so patients don’t have to do math or use a magnifying glass to know how much they are taking. A lot of being a medical cannabis patient means figuring out what combination of ingredients works best on our own. This information needs to be clear, readable, and accessible online before purchasing and mandated. I support the bill. HB2369 would help more patients in Health Service Area 1 who don’t have any dispensaries. There are still elderly and people with disabilities car pooling to travel 50-100 miles to visit a state dispensary because growing their own or having a trusted source is not possible. Many who don’t have access buy unregulated and potentially unsafe cannabis or dangerous synthetic products thinking it’s safe. I support the bill.

Thank you to Delegate Adams for sponsoring both HB2368 and HB2369 and putting patients first. Thank you for reading my comments and taking them to heart in advance. Both of these bills personally affect me. I have a L4/L5 herniated disk, sciatica, and osteoarthritis of the lower back and SI joints. I'm 44, have a 9-year-old son and am happily married. Both my wife and I have professional jobs and possess master's degrees. My pain quickly came to life seven years ago while sitting in my office at work. I experience daily pain and oftentimes miss out on activities with friends and family, travel and playing golf or soccer with my son. I walk with him as a coach and caddie versus playing golf, and simply put, that is a stark reminder of my chronic pain. Living in Charlottesville, the closest dispensaries are in Richmond or Lynchburg, which are both an hour away. Several times I have had to drive to both cities to refill medicine when I have been in the middle of a pain flair up, and that is the last thing I want to do when I am in pain. Yet my wife is unable to pick up my medication for me. Albeit she can still go get medication for me at a local pharmacy, including opioids, which I cannot take due to my pain being chronic. Per my doctor, I would be an opioid addict if I used pain pills for my pain. No thank you. Simply put, cannabis is medicine for me and many others in Virginia. At times I have also had to ration medication because I did not want to make the drive because I knew driving several hours would lead me to be in pain for three days to a week. Yet I have had to do that because my district does not have a single dispenary thanks to a court case and politics. Each time I leave the dispensary, whether I am battling pain or not, I get very upset that I do not have a dispensary I can visit that is near my home. No dispensaries in this district most likely lead many medical cannabis patients to buy medicine on the black market, which is the last thing one wants to do. Admittedly I have had to do this a few times, and I immediately regretted it. We medical patients want tested and regulated products that are a affordable and easily assessible., not to be held politically hostage or deal with black market drug dealers. I ask you as elected officials that represent all Virginians, not just the ones who voted for you, to truly look at the human side of not allowing better access to cannabis. Whether that is adding more dispensaries in my district and around the Commonwealth or allowing a loved one to pick up medicine who is suffering. I encourage you all to visit a dispensary with a medical patient, hear people's stories and see what a dispensary visit is all about. Thank you for your time, attention and most of all caring about medical patients like me. Best regards, Michael Brink Charlottesville

Hello, my name is Sarah O'Hanlon, and I am a mother to a child with intractable epilepsy who benefits from cannabis medicine. I also have a Masters degree in Medical Cannabis Science & Therapeutics from University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy. I am writing to support HB2368, for the improvement of cannabis product labeling within our states medical cannabis program. Products labels containing complete descriptions of contents, dosage amounts/instructions for use, and related safety warnings are critical to the patient and caregivers in order to utilize their medicine as recommended by their Practitioner. It is also imperative that our Virginia dispensaries provide products that are specifically formulated for the medical cannabis patient. Cannabis derived products intended for medical applications often includes both CBD and THC as the primary cannabinoids for optimal therapeutic benefit to the patient. More emphasis on this formulation is greatly needed within our medical program. Additionally, it should not be necessary for a patient's Registered Agent to register with the Board of Pharmacy, when the Practitioner providing the Recommendation includes this information on the patient's written certification. Removing this extra step for patients unable to visit and purchase their own products will also permit a more efficient process for the patient with greatly reduced wait time (by days/weeks) to acquire their medicine. We must not delay the process for patients with added steps for those unable to visit/purchase medical cannabis products for themselves. Thank you, Sarah O'Hanlon

Hello. As a medical cannabis patient I think it is extremely important that the cannabis medicines be accurately & completely described. I would like to see ALL the ingredients included and the percentage of ingredient. And I would like to see improved clear child safety precautions. I also think that they labeling needs to follow a uniform standard among dispensaries. I support HB 2368. Thank you for listening.

I’m Tamara Netzel representing the Virginia Cannabis Patients group. I have Multiple Sclerosis and I rely on having cannabis in my system all the time to be able to function. HB2368 would make packaging more readable for patients instead of important information like Keep away from children or ingredients in tiny print or not on the package at all in some cases. Also, the dosage of each piece clearly on the package rather than just the total THC for the whole package so patients don’t have to do math or use a magnifying glass to know how much they are taking. A lot of being a medical cannabis patient means figuring out what combination of ingredients works best on our own. This information needs to be clear, readable, and accessible online before purchasing and mandated. I support the bill. HB2369 would help more patients in Health Service Area 1 who don’t have any dispensaries. There are still elderly and people with disabilities car pooling to travel 50-100 miles to visit a state dispensary because growing their own or having a trusted source is not possible. Many who don’t have access buy unregulated and potentially unsafe cannabis or dangerous synthetic products thinking it’s safe. I support the bill.

Thank you to Delegate Adams for sponsoring both HB2368 and HB2369 and putting patients first. Thank you for reading my comments and taking them to heart in advance. Both of these bills personally affect me. I have a L4/L5 herniated disk, sciatica, and osteoarthritis of the lower back and SI joints. I'm 44, have a 9-year-old son and am happily married. Both my wife and I have professional jobs and possess master's degrees. My pain quickly came to life seven years ago while sitting in my office at work. I experience daily pain and oftentimes miss out on activities with friends and family, travel and playing golf or soccer with my son. I walk with him as a coach and caddie versus playing golf, and simply put, that is a stark reminder of my chronic pain. Living in Charlottesville, the closest dispensaries are in Richmond or Lynchburg, which are both an hour away. Several times I have had to drive to both cities to refill medicine when I have been in the middle of a pain flair up, and that is the last thing I want to do when I am in pain. Yet my wife is unable to pick up my medication for me. Albeit she can still go get medication for me at a local pharmacy, including opioids, which I cannot take due to my pain being chronic. Per my doctor, I would be an opioid addict if I used pain pills for my pain. No thank you. Simply put, cannabis is medicine for me and many others in Virginia. At times I have also had to ration medication because I did not want to make the drive because I knew driving several hours would lead me to be in pain for three days to a week. Yet I have had to do that because my district does not have a single dispenary thanks to a court case and politics. Each time I leave the dispensary, whether I am battling pain or not, I get very upset that I do not have a dispensary I can visit that is near my home. No dispensaries in this district most likely lead many medical cannabis patients to buy medicine on the black market, which is the last thing one wants to do. Admittedly I have had to do this a few times, and I immediately regretted it. We medical patients want tested and regulated products that are a affordable and easily assessible., not to be held politically hostage or deal with black market drug dealers. I ask you as elected officials that represent all Virginians, not just the ones who voted for you, to truly look at the human side of not allowing better access to cannabis. Whether that is adding more dispensaries in my district and around the Commonwealth or allowing a loved one to pick up medicine who is suffering. I encourage you all to visit a dispensary with a medical patient, hear people's stories and see what a dispensary visit is all about. Thank you for your time, attention and most of all caring about medical patients like me. Best regards, Michael Brink Charlottesville

Hello, my name is Sarah O'Hanlon, and I am a mother to a child with intractable epilepsy who benefits from cannabis medicine. I also have a Masters degree in Medical Cannabis Science & Therapeutics from University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy. I am writing to support HB2369, to remove the requirement that a cannabis dispensing facility be owned, at least in part, by a pharmaceutical processor, and increasing the number of dispensary permits from 5 to 12. As a resident of the health district region that has yet to be provided with a dispensary local to us, it is vital to remove this requirement for the benefit of medical cannabis patients residing in ALL areas of the state. Thank you, Sarah O'Hanlon

Greetings. I live in HSA 1 and have been traveling long distances to obtain meds. Because of the distance it takes the better part of a day plus extra gas. I support HB2369 to open additional dispensaries and also permit changes so the issue with HSA 1 can be resolved. We need medical dispensaries for patients in this area. Thank you for listening.

My name is Jesnell Webb-Jones and I'm here to support HB2402 regarding SUDEP. I have a child who was diagnosed with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (JME) at the age of 15. He is now 19 years old and his epilepsy is managed with medications and I am very grateful, but I do worry if this is in his eminent future. So I stand here today in support all the parents who have lost children, family, and friends to SUDEP. Thanks Webb-Jones Family

I am Amy Clodius, epilepsy advocate and mother of twin daughters with epilepsy. Ashton is 26, and Madison is forever 22. My daughters were diagnosed in 2009 and through many medication adjustments, emergency hospitalizations and a helicopter ride to VCU medical system when one went into status epilepticus, we have been living with epilepsy. We were made aware of the risks and followed all of the suggested protocol. Of special notice, were the warnings of my daughter's having seizures while driving, swimming or bathing. We were warned of head injuries during a seizure. I was never warned of the possibility of SUDEP. My daughter, Madison Rose Clodius who was engaged to married was a massage therapist at the Advanced Wellness Centre. She had a petit mal seizure on May 10, 2019. She recovered quickly and went home to rest that evening. A petite mal seizure does not indicate a trip to the hospital. Maddie went to sleep that evening and she never woke up. She did not hit her head, she did not have a car accident, she did not drown. She never woke up on May 11, 2019. Her cause of death on her death certificate was "death due to epileptic seizure." So, maybe we are "lucky" that we are one of the statistics. The 1 in 1,000 we never heard about. I never was given information that she was at a high risk of SUDEP. I have to think that one reason we were not informed of the risks of SUDEP is because the risk is so "rare?" My hope is that with this bill, there will be more realistic statistics, and therefore more research and warning of the risks of SUDEP. I am the voice of my daughter Madison Rose Clodius. I am her hands and her feet, and I will do all I can to get this legislation passed for all those with epilepsy, including my daughter Ashton, who is a twin-less twin. Thank you for your consideration.

HB 2276 Immunization; immunization of children against COVID-19 Informed consent is the basis of medical ethics. Parents should make decisions regarding the health and wellbeing of their children. COVID-19 vaccines do not prevent viral transmission so there is no justification for requiring these vaccines as a requirement for school attendance. This bill specifies that parents shall not be required to immunize their children against COVID-19 in the same manner current Virginia law allows them to determine whether to give them the Haemophilus Influenzae Type b vaccine. In 2020, when the legislature considered and passed HB 1090, which dealt with the manner in which future childhood vaccines would be considered, legislators and their experts confirmed the legislature’s support for keeping parents in charge of their child’s vaccination schedule. In 2021, the Virginia Department of Health proposed a regulation requiring the COVID-19 vaccine as a requirement for school attendance. More than 15,000 Virginians commented on the regulation, with overwhelming opposition (93%) to mandating the shot. Medical professionals around the world are in agreement that there is no scientific rationale for continuing any COVID-19 mandates in 2023 and beyond. HB 2280 Parental consent to surgical and medical treatment of certain minors This bill requires parents and guardians to consent to medical interventions concerning their children, including vaccination. It is important to amend current law to make it clear that parents are in control and make medical decisions for their children. Several cities have attempted to pass orders and laws that allow children as young as 11 years of age to consent to vaccination without parental knowledge! Please do not let this happen in Virginia. Please support this bill to send a clear message that in Virginia, parents are in control and they decide what medical interventions their children receive.

After 7 am meeting, then this one. HB 1689 - Please move to report. No one should die without benefit of spiritual help. *HB 1864 - No person should be required to input into their bodies something they don't want there, just to keep their job. We're not North Korea. *HB 1889 - Data shows that they are not at great risk of disease. HB 2057 - Why should people who have worked and paid thousands of dollars for decades, by denied Social Security because those who violated the law came here? Why shouldn't we put infrastructure and improve schools for African American communities FIRST BEFORE any others? Why do they deserve any thing before our veterans? Please PBI this bill. HB 2160 - In honor of those who lost family/friends & weren't allowed to see them at the end, please move to report. HB 2276 - The data is clear: children are not at risk of death from COVID. HB 2293 - https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/articles/comparingdifferentinternationalmeasuresofexcessmortality/2022-12-20 Sweden and Norway were essentially tied for the lowest “[p]roportional all-cause excess-mortality scores” (which “measure[] the percentage change in the number of deaths compared to the expected number of deaths (based on the five-year average [from 2015 to 2019])” among the listed European countries, looking at data from Jan. 2020 to June 2022: Their excess mortality was up 2.7%, compared to, say, 5.2% for Denmark, 7.1% for Finland, and 11.8% for the Netherlands. They had the lowest all causes death rate since COVID arrived and didn't do these long, lengthy lockdowns. Sweden had lower rate avg. excess death percentages: https://reason.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ERGExcessMortality.xlsx https://www.baconsrebellion.com/wp/covid-19-update-still-lots-of-idle-hospital-capacity/ noted on 4/25/2000 Roanoke Valley had 80 cases, 6 hospitalizations and 0 deaths compared to Arlington with 764 cases, 137 hospitalizations, 29 deaths. Elective surgery was banned in both, although the whole of Roanoke Valley had 0 deaths. HB2489 - Please move to report so that men can be given the support to become strong fathers.