Bill > HB652

This bill directs the Department of Social Services, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, and the Department of Health to establish a work group to examine how the Commonwealth of Virginia handles parental substance use during pregnancy and after childbirth. The work group will review current laws, rules, and practices related to supporting parents who use substances and children exposed to them, including the use of "Plans of Safe Care" under a federal law called the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, to see if changes are needed to better support families, prioritize the mother-infant bond, and ensure child safety. It will also identify best practices, service and data gaps, training needs, and inconsistencies in testing for substance use in newborns and mothers, and will include a diverse group of professionals and stakeholders. The work group is required to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to specific legislative committees by December 1, 2026.

Health and Social Services

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB652