Members of the Committee for Courts of Justice, The de-criminalization of HIV, represented in SB1138, is a critical preventive strategy to ending the HIV epidemic. Because criminal liability generally only applies to those who know their positive status, and can therefore be held morally responsible, it is incapable of being an effective prevention tool against transmission in this context. (Conversely, although there is relatively little empirical evidence to suggest that people are dissuaded from testing as a result of criminalization, there is the possibility that people may assume that PLHA will necessarily disclose their status or insist on safer sex (in order to avoid liability), when this may not be the case, thus creating a false sense of security.) Secondly, overly broad criminalization reproduces and reinforces negative stereotypes about PLHA through (frequently inaccurate and sensationalist) press coverage of trials and convictions. This contributes to the stigma associated with HIV, which in turn creates obstacles to prevention and treatment and undermines the right of PLHA to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health and wellbeing. Sexual health physicians, nurses, and advisers may feel conflicted—to the detriment of their patients, their own professional identity, and public health more generally—if they feel obliged to raise the question of criminalization with those have been diagnosed positive, and there is the risk that the relationship of trust critical to patient care is compromised. In the era of biomedical interventions that can suppress an individual’s viral load, that is the number of copies of HIV virus in single mL/blood, to such small quantities it can no longer be detected in standard diagnostics; achieving viral suppression through antiretroviral treatment adherence means HIV can no longer be sexually transmitted, making early diagnosis and access to treatment a powerful weapon in the fight against further infection. A willingness to get tested, to initiate treatment and adhere to prophylaxis, or cope with unique challenges facing communities at-risk of HIV, depend on public health efforts to reduce stigma. Stigma has the power to undermine any progress made in ending the HIV epidemic and reducing stigma to improve HIV prevention, treatment and care is an integral part of public health practice; be it advocating HIV testing or adherence to treatment as prevention, measures to control the burden of HIV depend on governing bodies to intervene on behalf of the most vulnerable and stimulate the development of stigma reduction interventions. SB1138 boldly answers this call to action by identifying section of the code that reference the criminalization of HIV and STI exposure, infection, and transmissibility, and the ethical and empirical implications of counterproductivity in public health and health policy. Accepting SB1183 into law strengthens capabilities for addressing critical health issues by removing unjustifiable limits on public health practice and any references that empower stigma and reduce the capacity for public health to work with diverse communities to improve population health outcomes for all of the Commonwealth.

On behalf of the City of Portsmouth, we thank Senator Lucas for her patronage of this bill. The crux of the matter is the difference in the definitions in Subsection 4 of VA Code Section 16.1-228 and VA Code Section 63.2-100. Also, Subsection 2 of VA Code Section 63.2-100 is different from the definition in Subsection 2 of VA Code Section 16.1-228 regarding how to consider the actions of a parent or person responsible for providing health care for an abused and neglected child. These inconsistencies in the definitions was brought to our attention by one of the City's Assistant City Attorneys, Ms. Riddick, after she encountered this misalignment in the Code of Virginia while dealing with a matter before the court. For judicial interpretation purposes a definition does not apply unless it is referenced. Hence, there exists a need to align these two VA Code Sections. This bill does not create new language in either Code Section, just adds the existing definitions in Subsections 2 and 4 of VA Code Section 63.2-100 to Subsections 2 and 4 of VA Code Section 16.1-228. This bill passed unanimously through Senate Courts and the full Senate. We ask that you also please support this bill. Thank you

February 8, 2021 House Courts of Justice Committee RE: Support for SB 1324 – Actions against real estate appraisers or appraisal management companies; statute of limitations Chair Herring, Vice Chair Watts, and Committee Members: The Virginia Commonwealth Chapter of the Appraisal Institute (VCCAI) is writing to express strong support for SB 1324 which would establish a 5-year statute of limitations on civil actions against real estate appraisers and appraisal management companies following the date the appraisal was performed. Recently, real estate appraisers have faced lawsuits alleging defects in appraisals that were performed as long as 20 years ago. Generally, these lawsuits are filed after some type of adverse event (i.e., a mortgage default) occurred and a review of the appraisal is performed by an entity that has purchased the defaulted loan and/or the rights to sue the appraiser. A suit is filed alleging that the appraiser’s malpractice or misrepresentation is the reason why the adverse event occurred, when there is usually some other non-actionable reason why the adverse event occurred (i.e., reduction in income, poor underwriting, market fluctuations, etc.). The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), which every real estate appraiser in the Commonwealth is required to follow, mandates that appraisers keep their work files for every appraisal for a period of 5 years. Most appraisers purge their files after 5 years and it becomes very difficult for the appraiser to adequately defend themselves against a suit that is filed 10, 15 or even 20 years after the appraisal was performed. In many cases, appraisers are forced to settle these lawsuits to avoid the uncertainty of the judicial process and the possibility for significant judgements. A statute of limitations that is specific to claims against real estate appraisers, and that matches the USPAP recordkeeping requirements, will provide the certainty of knowing the time period during which a suit might be filed. The appraiser will be better able to take appropriate risk management steps, such as obtaining insurance coverage and retaining appropriate records. We urge the Committee to favorably report SB 1324. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Scott DiBiasio, Appraisal Institute Manager of State & Industry Affairs at (202) 298-5593 or sdibiasio@appraisalinstitute.org. Regards, Billy Hansen, MAI 2021 President (434) 942-2245 billy@hansenrealtyadvisors.com

I am writing this evening to give my full support behind SB1325. I could not imagine my life without my grandparents and the life values and the love they showed me along the way. Growing up, I had a sick mother that spent numerous weeks within the hospital, meaning our father was with her providing care. With both parents gone, my grandparents provided care for myself and my sister. They fed us, helped us with school work and provided us the support we needed with our parents being absent at times. Without a doubt, grandparents play a vital role in the lives of their grandchildren. This bill allows courts to take into consideration the expressed consent, as proven by the grandparents, the wishes of the deceased parent in maintaining the grandparent/grandchild relationship. If something were to happen to me, I would want my parents to maintain a strong relationship with my children. Please pass SB1325 in its entirety; this is a bipartisan bill that allows grandparents to make their case without infringing upon parent rights. Thank you for your time and consideration.

I believe grandparents should have every right to see their grandkids if there are not any evidence of abuse

Members of the Committee: I send this note today in support of Senate Bill 1325 and respectfully ask that unanimous consent be given to the Bill in this committee. Grandparents are such an important part of a child's life, especially when the parent is deceased. If the surviving parent does not allow the grandparents to spend time with the grandchild, one half of that child's familial history is being erased. I look back fondly on my youth and reminisce on the many many days that I got to spend with my grandparents. The things they taught me by just being part of my life are innumerable. Their love has stuck with me as I have grown into an adult. Part of who I am is because of my grandparents. It would be a shame for the surviving parent in the case of the death of the other parent to deprive their children of that experience. Thank you for your consideration in this matter. Respectfully yours, Joe Matthews Abingdon

Please consider passing this bill in support of grandparents' visitation rights with their grandchildren. I am eternally grateful to have had a close relationship with my grandparents throughout my life. I cannot imagine anyone denying that opportunity to a child when the grandparents are loving and supportive of their grandchildren. As an educator, children, especially children who have undergone trauma, need a positive relationship in their lives. A positive relationship with one's grandparents can help in the healing process for a child. I urge you to pass this bill in its entirety!

We are the grandparents of two amazing girls which are 10 and 13 years old as a parent of two kids ourselves a boy and a girl a daughter and husband chose to live with us newly married her still in college him finding his career they became mom and dad I’m selves we also became parents again several years ago We receive the worst news your daughter has cancer and a short time to live almost immediately daddy leaves the mom and the two girls granddaughters for another woman now his wife this illness let her to go to Florida for hope and they care for cancer our journey lead us to spend weeks sometimes months over 200 flights back-and-forth over 2000 treatments of chemo and several operations many days in the hospital we took you and those two girls provided every Way went home so they was in school sports church anything that comfort them and made them happy on November 24, 2019 a daughter went to be with the Lord that night the dad came to pick up the girls we lost three that night so did the two girls To a man that was never a true dad into a woman that tells them don’t have no kids don’t want no kids or I would’ve had my own the girls love was with their grandparents through all the times of sickness through all the tears is this bill what’s right for the grandparents or is this bill what’s right for the kids the kids needs to have love as my daughter always said God‘s got this you need to pass this bill let the kids grow up to where they know they are loved thank you

I am writing this evening to give my full support behind SB1325. I could not imagine my life without my grandparents, and I think about them every single day. Even though three out of the four of them have passed on, I still carry with me the lessons they taught me, the morals they instilled in me, and the love they showed me. Without a doubt, grandparents play a vital role in the lives of their grandchildren. This bill allows courts to take into consideration the expressed consent, as proven by the grandparents, the wishes of the deceased parent in maintaining the grandparent/grandchild relationship. If something were to happen to me, I would want my parents to maintain a strong relationship with my children. Please pass SB1325 in its entirety; this is a bipartisan bill that allows grandparents to make their case without infringing upon parent rights. Thank you for your time and consideration.

My wife and I have the great fortune of being grandparents to three beautiful grandchildren. We cared for our grandchildren over many years beginning with each of their births. My wife and I experienced a tragic loss almost four years ago with the loss of our son / step-son, the children’s father. Our ability to continue our relationship with the children ended shortly after his death. Grandchildren should have access to their grandparents. Obviously, grandchildren have no ability to petition courts for this access, and because of this, it becomes the grandparent’s responsibility and obligation to do so. Virginia permits grandparents to seek visitation with grandchildren, but an incredibly high bar has been set in that actual harm has to be proven in order for courts to consider awarding visitation rights. This harm standard is not clearly defined. Our son / step-son no longer has the ability to make his wishes known, which we have no doubt would have been for the continuation of our access to his children. Our petition for visitation has been heard in court, but due to the harm factor, we have been denied access. The goal of SB1325 is to allow special consideration for grandparents who seek visitation with grandchildren after the loss of a child. This bill will not infringe on the rights of parents and maintains federal statutes. Research supports that grandparents play an extremely important role in the lives of their grandchildren, especially when the grandchildren have lost a parent. The passing of SB1325 will provide this chance to deserving grandparents and grandchildren.

Please pass SB1325 in it’s entirety. This bill allows the opportunity for the grandparents to present their case, while preserving the rights of the parent.

We urge this to be passed so we can see our grandchildren

My grandparents were a big part of my life while I was growing up. Fishing with my grandpa while my dad was at work, stopping on my way home from school for some of grandma's cookies, etc. All children need to interact with grandparents that love them. Please pass this bill for the sake of the children!

For 8 years we were the stability and home for our grandson who at the age of 11 was removed from our home when our son married. For 12 of the 14 months of his marriage, we were not allowed any verbal, physical, or written contact. Neither was the child allowed contact with any other friends or family. He was traumatized by his father's behavior. Due to our son's poor choices, he had to return him to our care and we have shared custody, If he was to regain full custody he would do the same thing again. The courts should consider all circumstances and make it mandatory that visitation can not be withheld from grandparents when they have acted as custodial parents. Please pass this bill for the rights of children and grandparents.

I think the GRANDPARENTS should have the right to have visitation rights with their grandchildren's.

I am a retired school administrator with over 42 years in education. I've had the joy of seeing the positive impact grandparents have on their grand children. I've also witnessed the devastation on children when they have been removed from the influence and support of their grand parents. Children thrive when they have grandparents in their lives. They feel secure and happy with these established relationships. SB 1325 would allow grandparents to provide proof to a court of these relationships and what is in the best interest of the children. Please pass SB 1325 in its entirety; this bipartisan bill is greatly needed for our children and the future of the Commonwealth. "Nothing you do for our children is every wasted. "

Please pass this bill. Grandparents were an important part of my childhood. I remember going to the farm with Granddaddy and feeding the cows, pulling worms from the tobacco plants. I gotta nickel for each one I pulled.This bill would help children who have lost a parent to connect with that particular set of grand parents and enrich their lives.

Grandparents have always and will continue to play a very important role in the lives of their grandchildren. This bill would allow the possibility of maintaining this relationship upon the death of a parent while protecting the rights of the living parent. Please pass SB1325 in its entirety.

My grandparents were a tremendous presence in my life. I can't imagine my life without their love and support. I was not as close to my fathers parents but, still have fond memories of them and wouldn't trade that relationship for anything. As a parent, having my son know, and form strong bond with other family is so important. It is extraordinary for a child to be loved by family other than their parents. Why would anyone want to cut off the live and support of grandparents.

“This is a bipartisan consensus bill that respects parental rights, while allowing grandparents with special circumstances, to make their case; it’s fair for everyone.” “Grandparents play a vital role in children’s upbringing, and should be allowed the opportunity to present their case, while preserving the rights of the parent.” “This bill allows courts to take in consideration the expressed consent, as proven by the grandparents,  the wishes of the deceased parent in maintaining the grandparent/grandchild relationship.” “I cannot imagine not having my grandparents in my life as I grew up.” “Please pass SB1325 in its entirety; this is a bipartisan bill that allows grandparents to make their case, without infringing upon parental rights.”

Because of my personal background, I urge you to pass Senate Bill 1325 in the House of Delegates to improve Virginia’s laws on grandparent visitation. My mother passed away when I was eleven years old; I had always been close to both my grandmothers, and spent a great deal of time with each of them. Both of these wonderful women enriched my life immeasurably. Thankfully, my father was completely supportive of my continuing to spend time with my maternal grandmother and extended family. My aunts and uncles invested time and attention in my future. I spent many hours and days with my dear cousins, and still maintain contact with them. Please consider the harm of depriving children of these significant influences and relationships; I know my life is one which was shaped and improved by the love and interaction with my entire family, and would wish the same for every child.

Grandparents should be allowed time with their grandchildren. It should be an agreed and scheduled time. Not for grandparents to over step any boundaries.

We have neighbors who's only daughter died November 24, 2019 after 6 years of fighting cancer (They have a son but he has no children). She had custody of her 2 children from her former marriage. Almost all of their entire life was spent living with their grandparents. One of the grandchildren is 13 and the other one is 10. Both of them are girls and loved living on the farm where their grandparents live. They had their pets that they took care of plus loved taking care of baby animals when the parent of the animal would die. Every time they would get a new pet, they would call me and my husband to come to see their new pet. They were almost like our grandchildren. We have been very close to these neighbors and they have both worked for us during various times through the years. We are not related to them but sometimes it seems, as if we are, because of the bond we share with them. We are 74 and 76 years old and realize the importance that these grandparents role in their grandchildren's life. Last year in October, 2020 their daughter's ex-husband (father of these children) told the grandparents that they could not ever see the grandchildren. This was devastating to the grandparents and also their whole family. I was so upset that I did not know what to do because I have grandchildren, who I see on a regular basis, and would not know what to do, if I could never see them. Our neighbors were also very upset with him not letting them visit with their grandchildren. After their mother passed, when he (the ex-husband) needed a baby sitter, the grandparents would baby sit the children and was very happy to have their grandchildren in their home. I have never known any more grandparents that cared more for their grandchildren than this set of grandparents. I have know these people for over 40 years and they are one of the most well liked families in this county. Their daughter flew to Florida sometimes almost every month for treatments for this cancer. The grandparents paid for her, the grandchildren, and the grandparents to fly down there for a lot of these treatments or surgeries. My husband and I traveled down there on two different occasions when their daughter was having surgery. Those grandparents were there every time and if the children were in school, one of them stayed home to take care of the grandchildren or one of the other family members. Please pass this bill for grandparents such as these to be able to see their grandchildren. Thank you.

I consider myself very fortunate to have grown up knowing my maternal and paternal grandparents, especially being raised in a split home. I even had the joy of bonus grandparents on both sides of my family. Growing up, my maternal and paternal grandparents lived 5 hours away. If my mom went to see her parents, she always made sure to allpw us time with my fathers parents and vice versa. I would not be who I am, or where I am today without the added love and support of my grandparents and bonus grandparents. I currently have a bonus son. His mom lives 6 hours away, but his maternal grandmother only lives 1.5 hours from us. We meet her half way anytime she wants to see her grandchild, and allow her to talk to him anytime. Raising children truly takes a village, and grandparents are a huge asset in that village. Children need all the love and support they can get, especially this day and time.

I was blessed to be raised by my grandparents and my Mother. They took care of me by giving me love and support while my mother worked. From them I also learned my family history and feel I would not be the person I am today had it not been for them. I ask that you please pass this bill so that all children can experience the type of relationship that I did. It will truly enhance the type of person they become. Parents should not feel their rights are violated by allowing grandparents to be a part of their children’s lives.

I feel it is very important for grandchildren to be able to spend time with their grandparents. Grandparents see their grandchildren as an important part of their legacy. Through this close relationship grandchildren are able to gain historical and life living perspectives that they will always be able to use.

Grandparents are very important when it comes to a child’s upbringing. When children are being raised they need their grandparent’s love and affection. I cannot imagine not having my grandparents in my life as I grew up.Please pass SB1325 in its entirety; this is a bipartisan bill that allows grandparents to make their case, without infringing upon parental rights.

I beseech you to please pass this bill for grandparents to have visitation with their grandchildren. My friend's son, who was also a VA State Trooper, committed suicide much to the happiness of his wife. Now his wife will not let his parents see the children, even in ballgames. These grand parents can offer the children so much love and want to. This lady is not only hurting the grand parents, she's hurting the children. Please do the right thing. Most of you either are now or will be grandparents, so please put yourselves in their shoes. Thank you.

I think grandparents should be permitted to spend time with their grandchildren. They need all the love and support of all family members. If a parent passes away or for some reason is not in the children's life grandparents or grandchildren should not be punished by not being allowed to be a part of their life. A parent should not be permitted to make the decision to keep them apart unless there is concern of a dangerous situation that could cause harm to the children. It seems like agencies don't take these concerns very serious as you hear of cases everyday. I have a loving relationship with my grandchildren and can't imagine the heart ache of not being able to share love ,companionship n quality time with them. Grandparents have a whole different world to share with them. Our children are our future and with guidance from us it can be very rewarding for children n grandparents Parents should realize the damage they are doing to a child who loses one parent and then grandparents to. They should never be put in this position. God gave us children to love protect, and teach and in return be loved and protected and cherished. Please consider this and vote to change this , allow grandparents to have visitation and a part on the lives of our precious future. Thank you

My mom's parents lived ten minutes from my house growing up; my dad's parents lived seven. I saw both sets of grandparents at least once a week--at church, to be babysat, or to watch UVA basketball or Washington football. Their love and light in my life enriched my upbringing by providing an extra layer of nurturing, acceptance, and guidance for me as I grew up. My bond with them was uniquely unconditional and vitally important to my sense of self. SB1325 allows grandparents faced with tragic special circumstances an opportunity to preserve the grandparent/grandchild relationship, while preserving the rights of the parent at the same time. I urge you to pass SB1325 in its entirety.

I believe grandparents should have a right to see their grandchildren and be a part of their life. I cannot imagine suddenly not being able to spend time with my grand kids. But I have seen it happen and it is not fair to the grandchildren or the grandparent. Don’t silence the child. Give them a voice and grant grandparents visitation rights.

Grandparents play a major role in the emotional and social well being of children. Disrupting already established relationships may be devastating to both the children and the grandparents. Please pass this bill to provide grandparents an opportunity to simply demonstrate this relationship is in the best interest of the children and would have been the wish of a deceased parent.

I believe that grandparents should have the right to see their grand kids. In the case of a deceased parent the grand parents should have every right to see their grandchildren. When the grand child has been apart of their life and then suddenly ripped away from them this is wrong. A grandparent should not loose this child and then loose their grandchildren too all because the living parent doesn’t want them to see them. This is devastating to a child when they want to see their grandparents. The child’s wishes should be taken into consideration. Please pass a law giving grand parents visitation rights.

I lost my wife of 58 years in October and my grandchildren come by and visit mr weekly. It doesn’t replace my lost wife but it does help the burden of the loss. I cannot imagine not being able to see my grandchildren and I don’t think it’s right to keep a grandparent from their grandchildren - please strongly consider this bill as one of the most important bills you will vote on. Thank you for your consideration for this bill.

Growing up I only really knew one grandparent. Two died before I was born and one died when I was very young. However, my grandmother played such a vital role in my life. Some of my best childhood memories include her. There is a connection between grandparent and grandchild that exists only in that relationship. The deprivation of that from any child or grandparent is a travesty of that bond.

Families are complex. Kids do better when they have love in their lives, and the more people involved in their lives with the kid's best intentions at heart the better. It seems reasonable that a court would be able to assess if adding visitation from grand parents would be in a child's best interest. Courts already have a system in place to make these sorts of evaluations so there shouldn't be too much hardship for the State to make this change. If a parent dies, a child shouldn't necessarily be kept away from a whole half of their extended family.

I cannot begin to imagine not being able to see my grandchildren! Mine are the joy and light of my life! Think about what your grandchildren mean to you. There needs to be a change made here! I know firsthand what it means not to have grandparents in a life. It’s devastating. Three of mine passed away before I was born so needless to say, there was a big void in my life. I made sure my children knew their grandparents and had a meaningful relationship with them & I try to play an important part in my grandchildren’s lives.

We are the grandparents of three grandchildren and we cannot imagine our lives without them. We know they have been a vital part of our lives but we also feel like we have been an important part of their lives. We feel like as grandparents we can not only help with everyday things but also feel like we can help nurture them because of our life experiences. I ask you to please pass bill Sb1325. Thank You!

This bill allows courts to take in consideration the expressed consent, as proven by the grandparents, the wishes of the deceased parent in maintaining the grandparent/grandchild relationship.

As someone whose life has been positively influenced by my relationships with my grandparents from birth through adulthood, I find it disheartening that this relationship can so easily be severed simply by the death of a parent. I believe children should have a choice in the decision, and the grandparents should be given a legitimate opportunity to prove their established relationship with their grandchildren. Please, unanimously pass this bipartisan bill!!

As a grief educator and counselor for 29 years, I have witnessed first-hand the trauma that occurs when children and grandparents are kept apart following the death of the kids’ parent. I imagine the same challenges arise in the case of divorce and other separations in families. While I under the importance of respecting parental rights, there often are not valid reasons for prohibiting grandparent visitation. The grandparents can be a link to the child’s heritage and can provide invaluable connections that promote healing in grief for all concerned. Grief comes not just after death, but anytime there is a loss of relationship. This is a bipartisan effort that can only help facilitate healthier families and healthier grief journeys

This is very close to home because my godparents have been trying to see their grandchildren for several years since the passing of their son. There is no reason loving and caring people should be kept from them. All this does it cause more hurt for the children and grandparents who have already been through so much.

This is a bipartisan consensus bill that respects parental rights, while allowing grandparents with special circumstances, to make their case; it’s fair for everyone. It allows courts to consider the expressed consent, as proven by the grandparents, the wishes of the deceased parent in maintaining the grandparent/grandchild relationship. Grandparents play a vital role in children’s upbringing, and should be allowed the opportunity to present their case, while preserving the rights of the parent. Please pass SB1325 in its entirety. Sincerely, Mary Susan Carlson, M.D, Resident of Arlington County, VA

Studies have repeatedly shown how invaluable the grandparent/grandchild relationship is to the fiber of a family. I can see in my own children how their lives, their characters have been positively influenced by their relationship to their grandparents. Even though some of them have passed, the stories of influence are still recanted now by my children to their children. Death often impacts the amount of time we have with grandparents, but it should not be limited by others. It’s too valuable and life is too short. Please, please pass SB1325 in it’s entirety. Thank you.

I cannot imagine not having my grandparents in my life as I grew up. This bill allows courts to take in consideration the expressed consent, as proven by the grandparents, the wishes of the deceased parent in maintaining the grandparent/grandchild relationship. Please pass SB1325 in its entirety; this is a bipartisan bill that allows grandparents to make their case, without infringing upon parental rights. It’s fair for everyone.

Please pass this bill, how else can a child learn about their past family if they can’t be with their grandparents, the ones who know about family members on that side of their family. What if a parent has passed away and the remaining parent will not tell the children about said parent, how will they ever know what a wonderful person that parent was. Grandparents are very important to their grandchildren, I know because I miss mine very much. So please pass the law for grandparents to have visitation rights. Thank you

Please pass this bill, how else can a child learn about their past family if they can’t be with their grandparents, the ones who know about family members on that side of their family. What if a parent has passed away and the remaining parent will not tell the children about said parent, how will they ever know what a wonderful person that parent was. Grandparents are very important to their grandchildren, I know because I miss mine very much. So please pass the law for grandparents to have visitation rights. Thank you

To withhold the love of a grandparent toward a grandchild as a travesty! I cannot imagine my life without the love and support of my grandparents! I also cannot imagine my life as a grandparent without access to my grandchildren! Please right this wrong!

I have watched my brother lose his son tragically April 2017. By summer he had no access to his 3 grandchildren. As an Aunt my heart broke. But to watch my brother lose his beloved son at the age of 32, and then the only grandchildren he has. The children of your children, is the most wonderful love. These grandchildren were with them some part of every wk. Please pass this bill for grandparents all over state of Va

Please pass this bill granting grandparent rights to have their grandchildren in their lives. I cannot imagine not having had my grandparents in my life. The children need their grandparents.

As a child growing up, I cannot imagine not being able to spend time with my grandparents. They were such an important part of my life. As a grandparent now myself, it would be heartbreaking not seeing our granddaughter.

I am fortunate to be a grandmother of three, and to have spent years as a caretaker in my grandchildren’s lives in southwest Virginia – more than a decade for the oldest. Access to my grandchildren ceased when my son, a Virginia State Police sergeant, died tragically in 2017. So, I lost contact with four important people around the same time. Virginia currently allows for grandparents to ask for visitation with their grandchildren, but the law sets a remarkably high and nebulous bar to grant access. We are required to prove “actual harm” to grandchildren absent of visitation. “Actual harm” is not well-defined in the law, and proving it presents a nearly impossible standard. Despite the barriers, I KNOW my son would have wanted me to have a relationship with his children, my grandchildren. He always did when he was with us. But I have been unable to present evidence in court given the current law. I urge you to pass Senate Bill 1325 in the House of Delegates to improve Virginia’s laws on grandparent visitation. SB1325 would consider special circumstances of grandparents who have lost a child, and who are then petitioning for visitation with their grandchildren. Grandparents like me. It is a bipartisan, compromise bill that strongly preserves the rights of parents, in line with federal statutes. SB1325 is also supported by research that shows that grandparents play an important role in the lives of grandchildren, particularly after death of a parent (Barnett et al., Dunifon et al., Lussier et al.). Grandparents in Virginia would be given a chance to play this support role if SB1325 passes.

My grandparents played a pivotal role in raising my brother and I and were irreplaceable role models in our upbringing. Every child deserves that. Every grandparent deserves the joy of seeing their legacy live on. I am heartened to see bipartisan support for a bill that will make our Commonwealth a better place for children.

We are the grandparents of three amazing children who were torn from our lives after their father (our son/step-son) died tragically almost four years ago. We do not have access to the children; therefore we cannot meet the (now) harm standards of the law to be granted visitation. These proposed changes will open doors that allow us, and many others like us who have established relationships with their grandchildren, to be provided that chance based on things we CAN prove, like our son’s desire to have us as a part of his children’s lives. Passing this bill provides opportunities for grandparents with already established relationships with their grandchildren to provide proof to a court of these relationships and what is in the best interest of the children. Thank you for your consideration.

Mandatory Minimum sentences are unnecessary. Trust judges to be judges. The General Assembly put them on the bench. They know the case and the players. We already have sentencing guidelines. In addition, some prosecutors use Mandatory Minimum sentences to stack offenses and create a huge "trial penalty" - forcing individuals to plead guilty and give up their right to trial.