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VA HB325

VA HB325
Fire Programs, Department of; development of mental health awareness training.


summary

Introduced
01/11/2026
In Committee
02/25/2026
Crossed Over
02/27/2026
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Regular Session

Bill Summary

Department of Fire Programs; mental health awareness training. Provides that the Department of Fire Programs shall develop a training program for mental health awareness that satisfies the criteria in current law requiring each fire department to develop curricula for mental health awareness training for its personnel. The bill provides the option for each fire department to use such standardized training program for the development and implementation of a mental health awareness training program for its personnel.

AI Summary

This bill requires the Department of Fire Programs, a state agency that supports fire services, to create a standardized, two-hour online mental health awareness training program for firefighters by December 1, 2026. This program must cover topics like recognizing signs of stress, trauma, and mental health issues, reducing stigma, responding to aggressive behaviors, accessing mental health resources, and practicing self-care. Fire departments can then choose to use this standardized training program for their personnel or use it as a guide to develop their own training, fulfilling the existing legal requirement for each fire department to have mental health awareness training curricula for its staff. The bill also removes a provision that required firefighters to receive continuing education credits for this training.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Justice

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote (37-Y 0-N 0-A) (on 02/27/2026)

bill text


bill summary

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB325
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB325) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1170699.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB325/text/HB325S1
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB325/text/HB325SC1
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB325) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1088488.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB325/text/HB325
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