Virginia House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax) is working on a plan for the House of Delegates to use remote voting and hold virtual legislative sessions to protect against spreading the coronavirus.

The General Assembly is scheduled to return to Richmond on April 22 to consider amendments proposed by the governor to legislation passed during this year’s regular session.

Filler-Corn has already announced that the House will meet outside on the grounds of the Capitol, with face coverings and hand sanitizer available for members, who will be spaced more than six feet apart under social distancing guidelines.

The state Senate plans to meet indoors at the Science Museum of Virginia.

If the House takes up and approves her proposal for remote voting, it’s possible the lawmakers would adjourn, go back to their homes and resume that session electronically, Filler-Corn said.

The reconvened session technically lasts for three days, if needed, and can be extended another seven.

“It’s important that … at the very least we give ourselves the option for this remote voting,” Filler-Corn said. “Our members should not have to choose between participating and safety.”

The House clerk’s office and IT staff are working to determine what technology is available to make it practical, she said. Filler-Corn said she has been in contact with Republican leadership and other members about the idea.

“If it can be done for us to use on the 22nd, we want it done,” she said. “My actions are all based on falling on the side of safety.”

The House minority leader, Del. Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah), said in an emailed statement: “While I appreciate the Speaker’s concern for everyone’s health and safety, I have expressed a number of questions and observations to her and to the clerk about the legalities and logistics that might be involved. Members still need to be assured that they can effectively carry out their constitutional duties.”