Roanoke Higher Education Center, which he Chairs; requiring Character Education to be taught in the public schools; requiring coverage for pre-existing health conditions for persons changing individual health-insurance carriers; establishing the Health Practitioners' Intervention Program; establishing the Virginia Department of Veterans Services; and adopting the Virginia Rules of Evidence for use in the state's courts. Awards and accolades that Edwards has received for his legislative service include: Public Service Award from Virginia Association of Nonprofit Homes for the Aging (VANHA) (1997); Roanoke Mental Health Professional Community award (1997); "Legislator of the Year" from the Virginia Legal Service program (1998); Roanoke Fire Fighters Association award (1998); Public Service Award from Alliance for the Mentally Ill of the Roanoke Valley (1999); "Legislator of the Year" award from the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (1999); "Profile in Courage Award" from the Coalition of Labor Union Women, Western Virginia Chapter (1999); "Child Advocate of the Year" award from the Virginia PTA/PTSA (2002); "Legislative Hero" from the Virginia League of Conservation Voters (2003 and 2011); "Friend of the Family" award from the Virginia Association of Family and Consumer Services (2003); "Public Servant Award" by Equality Virginia (2005); Legislator of the Year from Child Health Investment Partnership (CHIP) (2005); Virginia First Cities Excellence Award for sponsoring Constitutional Amendment (2006); "Child Advocate Award" from Virginia Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics (2007); Public Service Award from Southwest Virginia Psychiatric Society (2008); Public Service Award from Virginia Conference, American Association of University Professors (2009); Public Service Award from the Madison Society of Virginia Western Community College (2009); The Stamp Award for Exemplary Support of Military Families from The Virginia Council of Chapters, Military Officers Association of America (2009); Co-Legislator of the Year from the Democratic Latino Organization of Virginia (2011); Legislative Champion Award from the Virginia Crisis Intervention Team Coalition (2011); Legislator of the Year Award from the Professional Firefighters Association (2012); Legislative Service Award from Planned Parenthood of Virginia (2012); named a "Leader in the Law" by Virginia Law Weekly (2012); and Legislator of the Year Award from the Sierra Club of Virginia (2013). Edwards ran for Attorney General of Virginia in 2001. He finished second to Donald McEachin in a four-way Democratic primary. Political positions Gun control Edwards has voted multiple times against Castle Doctrine bills. In January 2011, Edwards voted against Senate Bill 876 (Castle Doctrine) which would have allowed "a lawful occupant use of