Delegate McClure highlights eviction-prevention wins, new senior and child-care measures

Delegate Adam McClure updated the Arlington Commission on Aging on the recent Virginia legislative session, saying her delegation secured funding and legal changes aimed at preventing evictions and strengthening protections for older adults.

"This year expands the eviction, reduction program and makes it permanent, and then we put 10,000,000 behind it in the budget," McClure said, announcing what she described as both a permanent program expansion and a budget allocation intended to broaden access across regions that previously did not receive funds.

McClure said she carried HB 837 to expand eligibility for the eviction diversion program and to require courts to provide eligible tenants with information earlier in court proceedings so tenants can learn about diversion options. "We also put in a requirement that the courts give that information to the tenants earlier in the court process so that they know about it," she said.

She said lawmakers tightened protections against landlord retaliation, expanding the list of retaliatory acts and strengthening tenants' ability to bring court challenges. "This will strengthen that and allow a tenant to have that ability and power to report that action," McClure said.

McClure also highlighted other bills she supported that aim to help older residents: SB260 directs the Commonwealth Council on Aging to address social isolation among seniors; HB341 extends the Alzheimer's commission through 2029; HB358 establishes a work group to review Medicare-supplement policies; HB1522 requires nursing homes and assisted-living staff to be trained on automated external defibrillators; and HB1357 creates a statewide study of nursing‑care facility operations and resident safety.

On childcare, McClure described HB 18, which would create an employee child-care assistance program with a state match for employer contributions: "It would be a partnership between the parents, the employer, and the state to make childcare more affordable," she said, adding that childcare costs are a particular challenge in Arlington.

Commission members asked about specific bills and implementation. McClure said the proposed funeral-burial assistance (HB1405) would allow the Department of Social Services to set criteria and that a budget amendment would follow once demand is assessed. On HB1357—the nursing-home quality study—she said the Joint Commission on Healthcare will report recommendations to the governor and relevant House and Senate committee chairs by Dec. 1, 2027.

The commission did not take any formal action on the bills during the meeting; McClure encouraged commissioners to share local priorities for the next session and offered to follow up with details on governor's amendments where requested.

The commission's next meeting is scheduled for July 20; McClure will be in Richmond for remaining budget votes on June 18 and encouraged contact about local issues.