The Bill Spill

VA HB38 

House Representative Rozia Henson (D) introduced a bill that would require teachers and appropriate faculty to complete mental health awareness training focused on addressing the needs of high-risk youth. If passed, the curriculum would expand to include youth who are at greater risk of experiencing mental health challenges.

High-risk youth include those who have lost a loved one to suicide, have mental or physical disabilities, struggle with substance use, experience housing instability, are in foster care, or identify as LGBQT+.

School boards will partner with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services, behavioral health professionals, and nonprofit organizations to provide this training. 

VA SB133

Senator Mamie Locke (D) proposed legislation that would require the Department of Social Services, along with the Department of Health, and the Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services, to organize a work group to evaluate current practices and response to parental prenatal and postnatal substance use. 

The convened work group will determine if current regulations, response, and services are meeting the needs of families and are required to report their findings and recommendations to the Senate and House Committees.

Click here to read last month’s bill spill.

To learn more about current legislation affecting the child welfare system, visit https://vakids.org/.