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Statement from Gov. McDonnell on Del. Greason’s Bill

Statement from Gov. McDonnell on Del. Greason’s Bill

Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on Senate Education and Health Committee Passage of A-F School Grading System
– Legislation Passed House Education Committee Yesterday –

RICHMOND - Governor McDonnell issued the following statement regarding passage of his proposed A-F school grading system by the Senate Education and Health Committee. The governor’s legislation previously passed the House Education committee yesterday. It will now be considered by the full House and Senate.

“Today’s vote in the Senate Education and Health Committee is a significant step toward final passage of this important educational accountability measure. When children come home with report cards, parents can clearly see how well they are doing and where they are in need of improvement. This legislation brings that same idea to school performance. This simple and clear system allows parents to better understand how well their child’s school is performing. Great accountability and transparency are key to helping parents be a part of the solution in underperforming schools. This A-F school grading system has been applied with success in other states, and I know it will be helpful in further improving public education in the Commonwealth. Every student in every zip code deserves the opportunity of an excellent education. I thank Delegate Tag Greason and Senator Bill Stanley for their leadership as patrons of this legislation and I look forward to continuing to work with members of both parties to get this important measure passed.”

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govseal

Posted in Front Page, Latest News, News Front Page | Also tagged 32nd District, 32nd House of Delegates, Del. Greason, education, Education Reform, General Assembly, Gov. Bob McDonnell, Governor McDonnell, House of Delegates, Leadership, Loudoun County, news, Schools, Tag Greason, Tag's Take, Virginia | Comments closed

McDonnell signs school EpiPen law || Staunton News Leader

RICHMOND — Gov. Bob McDonnell signed two bills Thursday requiring schools to stock and administer epinephrine, a drug that could save students having a severe allergic reaction.

McDonnell signed House Bill 1107, sponsored by Delegate Thomas “Tag” Greason, a Republican from Potomac Falls, and Senate Bill 656, introduced by Sen. Donald McEachin, a Democrat from Richmond.

Full Story >> 

Posted in Latest News | Also tagged 10th District, 32nd District, 32nd House of Delegates, Del. Greason, General Assembly, Gov. Bob McDonnell, Governor McDonnell, House of Delegates, Leadership, Loudoun County, Tag Greason, Virginia | Comments closed

Welcome legislation

Some of the General Assembly’s most worthwhile work goes virtually unnoticed as the hot-button issues get all the chatter.
Date published: 2/21/2012

AS the Virginia General Assembly ignites controversy with legis-lation involving the hot-button issues of the day, other bills that easily span the political divide are overshadowed. Some are designed to reflect on lessons learned from tragic events in Virginia and elsewhere.

Earlier this year, a 7-year-old Chesterfield County girl died after suffering an apparent allergic reaction to peanuts. Her mother said she had authorized the school in advance to use Benadryl, but it wasn’t used. What was needed was a device called an EpiPen, which injects a life-saving dose of epinephrine to combat the symptoms of anaphylaxis, which can cause fatal respiratory distress and killed young Amaria Johnson.

Bills introduced by Democratic Sen. Donald McEachin and Republican Del. Thomas Greason to require schools to maintain supplies of auto-injectable epinephrine have passed their respective chambers. (Some schools already do.) This is welcome legislation in an era when more children are developing life-threatening allergies to the lunchbox staple peanut butter, insect stings, and various other allergens. It’s a more efficient approach than requiring parents to supply the medication when they might not even be aware of their child’s allergic condition.

Another bill spawned by today’s headlines would enumerate those with a responsibility to report suspected child abuse or neglect to social services officials. In the wake of the Penn State story, the “Jerry Sandusky bill” would add athletic directors and coaches at public schools, private schools, and colleges to those required to report. Such legislation is designed to leave no doubt should a similar situation, heaven forbid, arise in Virginia.

“Castle doctrine” bills are sailing through both chambers and will result in a single bill that goes to the governor’s desk. The legislation makes it clear–though it’s hard to believe it was murky before–that if someone enters your house with criminal intent, you can use physical force to stop the assailant without fear of legal retribution if that person is hurt or killed.

Legislation that will reduce litter and the effects of secondhand office smoke is getting attention. One bill would ban smoking on public school grounds and in public school administration buildings. It’s already prohibited inside schools. A separate bill would outlaw smoking in buildings owned or operated by the commonwealth. Both bills passed the Senate but stalled in the House. Maybe the House will come around on the Senate versions.

Bills to elevate texting while driving to a primary offense have followed the same scenario: Passed by the Senate, left in committee in the House. Sponsorship has been bipartisan. No maybes on this one. This is legislation that must become law in Virginia.

 

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Posted in Front Page, Latest News | Also tagged 32nd District, 32nd House of Delegates, Del. Greason, education, General Assembly, Gov. Bob McDonnell, Governor McDonnell, House of Delegates, Leadership, Loudoun County, Tag Greason, Virginia | Comments closed

School discipline, ‘EpiPen’ bills pass in Richmond || Washington Post

School officials would have to promptly notify the parents of students suspected of serious wrongdoing at school under a bill that cleared the Virginia Senate on Monday.

The bill, inspired by the suicide of a Fairfax County high school student in the aftermath of disciplinary proceedings last year, passed the chamber 40 to 0.

Nick Stuban, a W.T. Woodson High School student and football player, took his life in January 2011, in the aftermath of school disciplinary proceedings. He’d been accused of buying JWH-018, a synthetic compound with a marijuana-like effect.

School officials had questioned him for days, notifying his parents only afterward with the news that he was being suspended with a recommendation for expulsion, said his father, Steven Stuban, who’d come to Richmond this year to lobby for several bills intended to soften what critics called an unduly harsh disciplinary code.

It is by no means certain that the bill, filed by Sen. Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax City), will become law. A similar bill filed in the House by Del. Kaye Kory (D-Fairfax) stalled in a subcommittee this month.

Petersen’s bill would require that school officials notify parents “as soon as practicable” when students face disciplinary proceedings that could result in their suspension, expulsion or the notification of law enforcement.

Kory’s ill-fated House bill would have required that parents be notified whenever a student is suspected of violating school board policy.

Also Monday, the House and Senate passed a pair of bills meant to help school officials come to the aid of students with severe allergic reactions.

Know as the “EpiPen bills,” the measures would direct local school boards to establish policies for keeping epinephrine pens on hand at every school, so that a school nurse, employee or trained volunteer could administer it to any student thought to be having an anaphylactic reaction.

The bills, sponsored by Sen. A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) and Del. Thomas A. “Tag” Greason (R-Loudoun), specified that in the event that someone sued over use of an epinephrine pen, school employees could not be held liable for civil damages so long as they had acted in good faith.

The House also voted to advance a bill that would provide tax credits for corporations that provide private school scholarships to low-income students. The bill has strong support from Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R), a proponent of school choice. There is opposition from teachers’ groups, who fear it will open the door to private-school vouchers for parents.

The bill is expected to get a final vote Tuesday.

By     Laura Vozzella  |  04:28 PM ET, 02/13/2012

 

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Posted in Front Page, Latest News | Also tagged 32nd District, 32nd House of Delegates, Del. Greason, education, General Assembly, Gov. Bob McDonnell, Governor McDonnell, House of Delegates, Leadership, Loudoun County, Tag Greason, Virginia | Comments closed

McDonnell signs new rules || Washington Examiner

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell signed legislation Tuesday afternoon that guarantees insurance companies will cover young children with autism by the end of the year.

Families with autistic children between ages two and six were already supposed to be covered after McDonnell approved a bill last year mandating it. But Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli insisted the bill, as written, failed to accomplish that goal.

Emergency revisions easily passed both chambers last month. Still, it will be awhile before insurance providers are required to cover those kids. The bill gives the state Board of Medicine 280 days to write guidelines for behavior analysts who work with autistic children.

That means the new rules will likely go into affect a full year after families were expecting when the bill was signed last spring. In the meantime parents have to choose between treatment for their young, developing children and high medical bills.

Some lawmakers wanted to adopt federal guidelines in the interim as state officials decided on their own, but McDonnell’s administration nixed that plan.

“After years of hard work and coordination, hundreds of children will finally get the help they need to make a real difference in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders,” said Del. Tag Greason, R-Loudoun, the bill’s author.

 

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Posted in Front Page, Latest News | Also tagged 32nd District, 32nd House of Delegates, autism, Del. Greason, General Assembly, Governor McDonnell, House of Delegates, Leadership, Loudoun County, Tag Greason, Virginia | Comments closed

McDonnell signs emergency autism legislation || Augusta Free Press

Gov. Bob McDonnell on Tuesday signed House Bill 1106, which covers providers of applied behavior analysis under last year’s autism insurance legislation, into law.

After the 2011 General Assembly adjourned, the Attorney General’s office notified the Board of Medicine they were not authorized by the underlying legislation, House Bill 2467, to promulgate regulations for the licensure of Certified Behavior Analysts. Certified Behavior Analysts provide Applied Behavioral Analysis, the preferred method of treatment, to children diagnosed with autism.

To correct this issue, Delegate Tag Greason (R-Loudoun) offered House Bill 1106, which clarifies the ability of the Board of Medicine to promulgate regulations implementing last year’s autism insurance legislation.

“After years of hard work and coordination, hundreds of children will finally get the help they need to make a real difference in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders,” said Greason. “I’m appreciative of all the help I’ve received over the last two years from my colleagues in the House of Delegates and advocates from across the Commonwealth.”

“Recognizing that thousands of families across Virginia are affected by autism spectrum disorders, the General Assembly passed landmark legislation last year requiring insurance coverage of autism treatment and therapy for children ages two through six,” said Speaker of the House William J. Howell (R-Stafford). “In developing that legislation, my colleagues and I worked very hard to balance the needs of families with the interests of the business community. The final product was legislation that provides for autistic children with minimal impact on premiums.”

 

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Posted in Front Page, Latest News | Also tagged 32nd District, 32nd House of Delegates, autism, Del. Greason, General Assembly, Gov. Bob McDonnell, Governor McDonnell, House of Delegates, Loudoun County, Tag Greason, Virginia | Comments closed

McDonnell signs bill that provides insurance coverage for autistic children || Washington Post

Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) has signed a bill — again — to provide insurance coverage for families with autistic children, according to his office.

McDonnell (R) had originally signed a bill into law last spring mandating coverage, but Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R) determined that the legislation contained imprecise language that legislators needed to correct.

Gov. Bob McDonnell (Alexa Welch Edlund - Associated Press)

Since then, families who expected insurance coverage have continued to pay out of pocket — if they can afford it — or forgo treatments they say could help their children learn basic skills such as walking and talking.

The bill will require health insurers to pay for specialized treatment — called applied behavioral analysis — as well as occupational, speech and other therapies for children ages 2 to 6. The maximum benefit was capped at $35,000 each year.

“After years of hard work and coordination, hundreds of children will finally get the help they need to make a real difference in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders,’’ Del. Tag Greason (R-Loudoun). “I’m appreciative of all the help I’ve received over the last two years from my colleagues in the House of Delegates and advocates from across the Commonwealth.”

The bill directs the state to write regulations within 280 days for those who teach applied behavior analysis to autistic children. That means coverage should start by the end of the year.

Autism is a neurological disorder that affects one in 110 children and one in 70 boys, according to national statistics. Virginia does not keep statistics on autism, but the state Department of Education estimates that 11,700 autistic children attend school (many others are too young or not able to attend).

The original measure had failed for 11 straight years until House Speaker William Howell (R-Stafford) backed it — even though conservatives considered the measure an unacceptable mandate that would drive up insurance costs.

Thirty-four states and the District have laws related to autism and insurance, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. At least 29 states require insurance coverage for autism treatment. Others require at least limited coverage.

There’s no estimate on the number of Virginia families who would benefit from the law, but it affects businesses that employ more than 50 workers and are not self-insured. Virginia set aside $1 million to cover state employees.

By Anita Kumar

Posted in Front Page, Latest News | Also tagged 32nd District, 32nd House of Delegates, autism, Del. Greason, General Assembly, Gov. Bob McDonnell, Governor McDonnell, House of Delegates, Leadership, Loudoun County, Tag Greason, Virginia | Comments closed

Delegate “Tag” Greason Appointed Chairman Of Education Subcommittee On Standards Of Quality


COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
HOUSE OF DELEGATES
RICHMOND

 

THOMAS A. “TAG” GREASON

MAILING ADDRESS

19309 WINMEADE DRIVE, BOX 427

LANSDOWNE, VIRGINIA 20176

THIRTY-SECOND DISTRICT

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

   EDUCATION

   GENERAL LAWS

   APPROPRIATIONS

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                    

January 27, 2012   

 

Contact: Lana Westfall  (804) 698-1132 or deltgreason@house.virginia.gov

   

DELEGATE TAG GREASON APPOINTED

CHAIRMAN OF EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE ON
STANDARDS OF QUALITY 

 

RICHMOND, VA – Delegate Robert “Bob” Tata (R- VA Beach) Chairman of the House Education Committee has appointed Delegate Thomas A. “Tag” Greason (R- Part of Loudoun County) to serve as the new chairman of the Education Subcommittee on the Standards of Quality (SOQs).  Greason has served as a member of the full committee since taking office in 2010.

Delegate Tata stated, “Tag has done a great job as a member of the full committee and I look forward to working with him as the Subcommittee Chair.  Children and educators alike will be well-served by his attention to detail and listening to both sides of the issues before us.”


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Posted in Front Page, Latest News | Also tagged 32nd District, 32nd House of Delegates, Del. Greason, education, Education Reform, General Assembly, House of Delegates, Leadership, Loudoun County, Tag Greason, Virginia | Comments closed
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