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VA SB595

Comprehensive plan; locality may consider adopting a healthy communities strategy.


summary

Introduced
01/10/2024
In Committee
02/16/2024
Crossed Over
02/23/2024
Passed
02/28/2024
Dead
Vetoed
04/17/2024

Introduced Session

Potential new amendment
2024 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Comprehensive plan; healthy communities strategy. Authorizes a locality, beginning July 1, 2024, to adopt a healthy communities strategy as part of its next and any subsequent reviews of the comprehensive plan. The bill provides that the locality's strategy may include identifying (i) major sources of pollution or hazardous waste sites within the locality, (ii) policies to mitigate the unique or compounded health risks to residents that may be caused by such pollution sources or hazardous waste sites, (iii) objectives and policies to promote civic engagement in public decision-making processes by residents, (iv) objectives and policies that prioritize improvements and programs that promote healthy communities, and (v) objectives and policies that encourage linking public transit with community and health services and siting or co-locating health services in unconventional settings to ensure convenient access for all community members.

AI Summary

This bill authorizes localities in Virginia to adopt a "healthy communities strategy" as part of their comprehensive plan starting in July 2024. The strategy may include identifying major pollution sources or hazardous waste sites, policies to mitigate health risks from those sources, objectives to promote civic engagement, priorities for healthy community improvements and programs (like broadband access, job training, healthy food access, public transit, etc.), and policies to link public transit with community and health services. The goal is to empower localities to proactively address environmental, health, and accessibility issues through their comprehensive planning process.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Senate sustained Governor's veto (on 04/17/2024)

bill text


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