Smoke Free Air Act; smoking in public places, civil penalties. (SB1057)
Introduced By
Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple (D-Arlington) with support from 15 copatrons, whose average partisan position is:
Those copatrons are Del. Joe Bouchard (D-Virginia Beach), Del. Bob Brink (D-Arlington), Del. David Bulova (D-Fairfax), Del. Al Eisenberg (D-Arlington), Del. David Englin (D-Alexandria), Del. Ken Plum (D-Reston), Del. Mark Sickles (D-Alexandria), Del. Margi Vanderhye (D-McLean), Del. Vivian Watts (D-Annandale), Sen. George Barker (D-Alexandria), Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria), Sen. Janet Howell (D-Reston), Sen. Dave Marsden (D-Burke), Sen. Toddy Puller (D-Mount Vernon), Sen. Patsy Ticer (D-Alexandria)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✓ |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
✓ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Virginia Smoke Free Air Act; smoking in public places; civil penalties. Moves the law restricting smoking in buildings and other enclosed areas from the title relating to local government (15.2) to the title relating to health (32.1) and prohibits smoking indoors in most buildings or enclosed areas frequented by the public. Exceptions are provided for (i) private homes, private residences, private automobiles, and home-based businesses, unless used in conjunction with a licensed child care, adult day care, or health care facility; (ii) private clubs, except when being used for functions attended by persons other than members and invited guests; (iii) hotel or motel rooms designated as smoking rooms that are offered for rent to the public; (iv) specialty tobacco stores; (v) tobacco manufacturers; and (vi) private and semiprivate rooms in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. The bill requires the posting of "No Smoking" signs inside and at the entrances of areas where smoking is prohibited. Any person who continues to smoke in an area in which smoking is prohibited will be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $100 for the first offense, and $250 for subsequent offenses. Failure to comply with the smoking restrictions will subject proprietors to a $200 civil penalty for the first offense and $500 for subsequent offenses. Read the Bill »
Status
02/06/2009: Merged into SB1105
History
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 01/13/2009 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/14/09 094035352 |
| 01/13/2009 | Referred to Committee on Education and Health |
| 01/13/2009 | Assigned Education sub: Special on Smoking |
| 01/19/2009 | Assigned Education sub: Special on Smoking |
| 01/19/2009 | Impact statement from DPB (SB1057) |
| 01/29/2009 | Reported from Education and Health (11-Y 3-N) (see vote tally) |
| 01/30/2009 | Impact statement from DPB (SB1057) |
| 01/30/2009 | Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
| 02/02/2009 | Impact statement from DPB (SB1057) |
| 02/02/2009 | Read second time and engrossed |
| 02/03/2009 | Read third time and passed Senate (24-Y 15-N) (see vote tally) |
| 02/04/2009 | Placed on Calendar |
| 02/04/2009 | Read first time |
| 02/04/2009 | Referred to Committee on General Laws |
| 02/06/2009 | Incorporated by General Laws (SB1105-Northam) |
Comments
The Virginia Interfaith Center supports this bill.
Support