Pointers on the Law
From the Law Offices Of Paul Buckwalter
13509 East Boundary Road, Suite E, Midlothian Virginia 23112
804/744-8744
NEW LAWS TO KNOW
– Text message opt-out- People can now reply “STOP” or “UNSUBSCRIBE” to unsolicited texts, and companies must honor the request for 10 years. Effective Jan. 1, 2026.
– Medical Debt Protection Act – Certain collection practices and interest rates on overdue medical bills are prohibited. Effective July 1, 2026.
– Food dyes are banned in public schools who may no longer serve meals or snacks with certain synthetic food color additives, such as Red 40 and Yellow 5. Effective July 1, 2027. And the Baby Food Protection Act made it illegal to sell baby food containing certain heavy metals.
– Assaulting a referee. A specific statute makes it a crime to assault a sports official during or after a game. The organization and venue may also ban you from future events.
– Styrofoam containers. On July 1, restaurants with more than 20 locations in Virginia were banned from using Styrofoam containers. Starting next July 1 2026 Smaller businesses will be banned too.
– Trespassing with a drone is now a felony if near a defense site or if used to capture images at contracted defense facilities. Including images of both the facility and its staff.
Allowing unlicensed teen drivers to drive your car- Class 1 misdemeanor if it results in a crash causing injury or death.
Autism and DMV: New law directs the DMV to create communication tools, such as envelopes, for drivers with autism to use during traffic stops to ease interactions.
DRIVING LAW CHANGES
Fender Benders: Va. Code was amended to increase the minimum property damage necessary for mandatory police reports to go to the DMV. Previously anything causing at least $1,500 in property damages had to be reported to DMV. Now police do not have to report unless it is $5,000 or more. That may create problems for the injured driver who suffers small property damage, because when an official report is not done, the injured driver is hindered. Plaintiffs have less documentation.
Back seat seatbelts: Previous law did not require adults riding in the back seat to wear a seat belt. Va. Code ยง 46.2-1094 was amended to require all adults occupying any seat to wear the belts.
Under previous law all passengers under 18 were required to wear them. Just not adults in the back.
Law-enforcement may not stop you for violation of this statute. If they stop you improperly, no evidence discovered or obtained shall be admissible. If properly stopped, for other reasons, they can ticket you for the violation.
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Photo speed monitoring devices may now be used in work zones, high-risk intersections, and other designated areas, expanding their use beyond school zones.
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Exhibition driving is added to reckless driving laws. Prohibiting stunt driving , burnouts or street takeovers. Expanded penalties apply for
aiding or abetting.
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Driving and Drugs: Nitrous oxide sales are banned. Its delivery devices may not be sold to minors. Nitrous oxide is added to the list of illegal inhalants.