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Del. Emily Brewer, R-Isle of Wight, is filing four new bills for the 2023 General Assembly Session that deal with issues ranging from tax credits for adoptions to human trafficking.

“As we approach the opening day of the 2023 General Assembly Session, these bills reflect some of my main priorities as a legislator,” Brewer said in a Jan. 9 news release. “These pieces of legislation reaffirm my commitment to the values which we hold so dear. From giving families more access to resources they need, to educating our students on the dangers of human trafficking and increasing school safety, prioritizing children and families is my top priority.”

The bills are:

• House Bill 1553: This piece of legislation creates a nonrefundable tax credit for an individual or married couple who, during the taxable year, finalize a legal non-family adoption.

“As a child of adoption, it is important to me to ensure that we encourage adoption throughout the Commonwealth,” Brewer said. “The cost of adoption, while worthwhile, can be expensive. This tax credit creates an opportunity to relieve some of that burden.”

• House Bill 1554: This bill will increase the transparency and access for parents that have or will access special education in Virginia Public Schools. It will require high schools to publicly identify the faculty member responsible for special education transition planning and coordination. This will create a streamline for information to be accessed efficiently and easily by parents.

“As chair of the Virginia Commission on Youth, this legislation is especially important to me, as we must give parents the resources to advocate for their children,” she said.

• House Bill 1555: In coordination with priorities from the Office of the Attorney General, I will be carrying a bill related to human trafficking and higher education institutions. This bill will add a requirement for higher education institutions to provide human trafficking awareness and prevention.

“We must take steps to inform and protect our students from the dangers of human trafficking,” Brewer said in the release.

• House Bill 1556: This piece of legislation establishes a school safety initiative by creating the K-9 Detection Team Grant Fund. Establishing this new opportunity would allow local law enforcement agencies and school districts to employ K-9 Detection Teams in schools.

“It is imperative that we find innovative ways to increase school safety and protect our children, teachers, and staff,” she said.

First elected to the House of Delegates in November 2017, Brewer represents the 64th District, which includes the counties of Isle of Wight and Surry, and portions of Prince George County and Suffolk City.

Brewer’s address while the legislature is in session is Pocahontas Building. 900 E. Main St., Richmond, Virginia 23219. She can be reached at 804-698-1064 or by email at delebrewer@house.virginia.gov.