Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 3 of Chapter 28 of Title 54.1 a section numbered 54.1-2818.6 as follows:

§ 54.1-2818.6. Declared state of emergency; essential workers.

In any case in which the Governor has declared a state of emergency related to a communicable disease of public health threat pursuant to §44-146.17, funeral service licensees shall be considered essential workers and shall be included in any group afforded priority with regard to (i) access to personal protective equipment and (ii) administration of any vaccination against such communicable disease of public health threat during such emergency.

2. That an emergency exists and this act is in force from its passage.