New Virginia laws effective July 1
7/3/2015, 10:31 a.m.
Hundreds of new laws took effect Wednesday in Virginia. Here are a few highlights:
Social media: Employers cannot ask employees or prospective employees for the username and passwords of their social media accounts.
Breastfeeding: Women can breastfeed anywhere the mother is lawfully present.
Campus sex assault: Lawmakers have approved several measures related to campus sex assault violence. They include requiring campus police departments to notify local prosecutors within 48 hours of starting any investigation into possible felony sexual assault and requiring university registrars to put a note on the transcripts of any student who is suspended, expelled or withdraws from school for reasons related to an offense involving sexual violence.
Medical marijuana: The law provides an “affirmative defense” for epilepsy patients who have a doctor’s note to use cannabidiol oil for treatment.
State song: Virginia now has two official state songs. The official traditional song is “Our Great Virginia” and the official popular song is “Sweet Virginia Breeze.”
Police drones: The law requires law enforcement agencies to obtain a search warrant before using unmanned aircraft systems.
Traffic: Drivers can cross double yellow lines in order to pass pedestrians and cyclists safely.
Hemp: Farmers now can grow industrial hemp as part of a university-managed research program. — ASSOCIATED PRESS
