Petitions for relief of care and custody of a child; investigation by local department of social services; Office of the Children's Ombudsman work group; report. Requires a local department of social services, as a part of its investigation after the referral of a request for a petition for relief of the care and custody of a child, to (i) refer the parent to the local family assessment and planning team and (ii) create a written report. The bill directs the Department of Social Services, in coordination with the Virginia League of Social Services Executives, to create a template for and provide guidance on what should be included in such written report.The bill also directs the Office of the Children's Ombudsman to convene a work group composed of relevant stakeholders to (a) determine the factors a court should consider when determining whether there is good cause shown for a petitioner's desire to be relieved of the care and custody of a child and (b) explore the potential benefits and considerations of raising the standard of evidence for granting temporary relief of custody from the current standard of preponderance of the evidence to clear and convincing evidence. The bill directs the work group to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Chairs of the House and Senate Committees for Courts of Justice and the Virginia Commission on Youth by November 1, 2025. Certain provisions of the bill have a delayed effective date of January 1, 2026. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Virginia Commission on Youth. This bill is identical to HB 1733.
Sponsored bills
Alcoholic beverage control; tied house exceptions. Removes certain provisions of the exceptions to the tied house limitations that state a manufacturer, bottler, importer, broker, or wholesaler cannot require, by agreement or otherwise, a retailer to exclude from sale at his establishment alcoholic beverages of other manufacturers, bottlers, importers, brokers, or wholesalers in order for the exception to apply. However, the bill retains the general prohibition that no manufacturer, bottler, importer, broker, or wholesaler of alcoholic beverages shall make an agreement, or attempt to make an agreement, with a retail licensee pursuant to which any products sold by a competitor are excluded in whole or in part from the premises on which the retail licensee's business is conducted. This bill is identical to HB 1703.
State plan for medical assistance services and health insurance; pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome. Directs the Board of Medical Assistance Services to amend the state plan for medical assistance services to include a provision for payment of medical assistance for the prophylaxis, diagnosis, and treatment of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) that includes payment for treatment using antimicrobials, medication, and behavioral therapies to manage neuropsychiatric symptoms, immunomodulating medicines, plasma exchange, and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy.The bill also requires each insurer proposing to issue individual or group accident and sickness insurance policies providing hospital, medical and surgical, or major medical coverage on an expense-incurred basis; each corporation providing individual or group accident and sickness subscription contracts; and each health maintenance organization providing a health care plan for health care services to provide coverage for the prophylaxis, diagnosis, and treatment of PANDAS and PANS. The bill requires such coverage to include coverage for treatment using antimicrobials, medication, and behavioral therapies to manage neuropsychiatric symptoms, immunomodulating medicines, plasma exchange, and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy.The bill prohibits an insurer, corporation, or organization from (i) denying or delaying the coverage of PANDAS or PANS because the enrollee previously received treatment or because the enrollee was diagnosed with or received treatment for his condition under a different diagnostic name, including autoimmune encephalopathy; (ii) limiting coverage of immunomodulating therapies for the treatment of PANDAS or PANS in a manner that is inconsistent with the treatment guidelines developed by a consortium convened for the purposes of researching, identifying, and publishing best practice standards for diagnosis and treatment of PANDAS or PANS that are accessible for medical professionals and are based on evidence of positive patient outcomes; (iii) requiring a trial of therapies that treat only neuropsychiatric symptoms before authorizing coverage of immunomodulating therapies for the treatment of PANDAS or PANS; or (iv) denying coverage for out-of-state treatment if the service is not available within the Commonwealth. This bill is a recommendation of the Health Insurance Reform Commission.
Maddy summaryHJ 511 is a commemorative resolution passed by both the House and Senate in early 2025 to honor the late poet and activist Nikki Giovanni. It does not create new laws or affect any individuals or policies; instead, it formally recognizes her contributions to literature and civil rights. The resolution was adopted without debate or committee action, following standard procedure for symbolic legislative actions. This is a purely ceremonial measure with no substantive policy impact.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a symbolic resolution commending the Roanoke Star, a historic landmark in Roanoke, Virginia. Passed by both the House and Senate in January 2025 with voice votes, it formally honors the landmark's cultural and historical significance. The resolution has no legal effect, does not change laws, and does not directly affect any individuals or policies. It serves as a ceremonial gesture of recognition by the state legislature.
Maddy summaryHJ 503 is a ceremonial resolution commending swimmer Torri Huske for her athletic achievements. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, regulations, or individuals beyond the symbolic recognition of her accomplishments. The bill passed both chambers of the legislature with voice votes and was formally adopted as a commendation. This is purely a non-binding expression of honor with no direct impact on legislation or constituents.
Maddy summaryHJ 471 is a ceremonial joint resolution commending the Animal Welfare League of Arlington for its work in animal care and community service. It does not create new laws, alter policies, or affect any specific group beyond expressing official recognition. The resolution was unanimously agreed to by both the House and Senate in early 2025 and is purely symbolic, with no concrete policy changes or financial obligations. It directly honors the organization but does not impact residents, taxpayers, or legislative procedures.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month. Designates May, in 2025 and in each succeeding year, as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month in Virginia.
Maddy summaryThis resolution formally commends Barry Eugene DuVal for his contributions. It is a ceremonial gesture with no policy impact or effect on legislation, as it does not create new laws, alter regulations, or affect any group or individual. The bill passed both chambers by voice vote with no substantive changes.
Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution honoring Matthew Charles Obenshain. It does not create any new laws or affect policies; it simply expresses legislative recognition of his life. The resolution was passed unanimously by both the Senate and House on February 20-21, 2025. It has no binding effect beyond ceremonial acknowledgment.