During the first half of the session, the legislature considered several bills that seek to improve how state agencies and local governments support people with disabilities. Three of them failed in the first stage of the process, while two are still alive. Here are the bills that did not make it out of their House of origin prior to crossover:
HB 595 (Krizek) would have created a position of Special Assistant to the Governor to coordinate disability related services. Because there was a financial cost associated with the proposal but the bill was not considered in time to account for that cost in the budget, the bill was continued to 2023.
Similarly, SB 615 (Lucas) would have created a Secretary of Disability Services Coordination. Although the bill was endorsed by the Senate Committee on General Laws, it was continued until 2023 by Senate Finance.
SB 750 (Dunnavant) would have removed all state-operated and private psychiatric hospitals from Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services oversight and would have created an independent Behavioral Health Authority. The bill was approved by the Senate committee on Education and Health but was continued until 2023 by the Senate Committee on Finance.
These bills are still alive after crossover:
HB 710 (Keam) requires local governments to give preference in hiring for people with disabilities. This bill was requested by the National Federation for the Blind. The bill was approved by the House of Delegates unanimously. It now moves to the Senate and will likely be assigned to the Committee on Local Government.
HB 1203 (Tata) directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to create a Mental Health Coordinator. The bill was approved by the full House of Delegates, unanimously and now moves to the Senate Committee on General Laws.
dLCV’s mission is to advance independence, choice and self-determination; protect legal, human and civil rights; and eliminate abuse, neglect and discrimination of people with disabilities through zealous and uncompromising legal advocacy and representation. The disAbility Law Center of Virginia is available to educate policy makers about the potential impact of legislative proposals and budgetary considerations. Please let us know of any legislative proposals or budget issues that you think we should be following. Contact us at info@dlcv.org or by calling 1-800-552-3962 or 804-225-2042.