VirginiaHB322026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Advisory Committee; appointment of additional members.

Sponsored By: Paul E. Krizek (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; duties; Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Advisory Committee; appointment of members. Requires the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to appoint two additional members of the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Advisory Committee: an employee of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services who specializes in recovery and treatment services and a representative from the Virginia State Police Gaming Enforcement Unit.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Statewide mental health drug list

The Department sets up a drug committee with Medicaid, state hospitals, community boards, a health plan, and at least one person who gets services. The committee creates one drug list for state hospitals, community services boards, and licensed providers. This makes care more consistent but may limit some medicine choices.

ID papers before leaving state care

If you lived in a state facility for more than one year, the Department ensures you have key ID papers before discharge. This can include a DMV ID that expires 90 days after issue, a Virginia birth certificate, or a Social Security card. Facility directors must provide these when your discharge plan needs them.

Mental health help for veterans

The state runs a program for mental health and rehab services for Virginia veterans, Guard members, some Reservists, and their families. The Department of Veterans Services and the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services work with the behavioral health agency to deliver these services.

Public school for students in care

The Department can place school-age residents of state hospitals or training centers into public school programs when that is appropriate. It can work with other school divisions to find placements and reduce strain on local schools where facilities are located.

Faster reporting of facility incidents

The Commissioner sends written reports to the state's protection and advocacy office on serious events in facilities. Critical incidents and certain deaths are reported within 15 working days. Findings on abuse or neglect are reported within five working days after the final decision is reported to the Department.

Stronger leadership for state behavioral health

The Commissioner leads the behavioral health agency and runs its state facilities. The Commissioner can hire staff, sign contracts with other governments, and accept gifts or bequests with the Governor’s approval. The Commissioner can also accept and manage trusts for the agency, following the trust’s terms. These tools support programs and services across the system.

Mental Health First Aid training

The Department runs the Commonwealth Mental Health First Aid Program. It offers mental health first aid training across Virginia.

More help for problem gambling

The state runs a program to prevent and treat problem gambling and manages the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund. The Commissioner keeps a Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Advisory Committee to link treatment groups and legal gaming operators. The Problem Gambling Prevention Coordinator chairs it, and members include regulators, a community services board leader, gaming operators, and the State Police Gaming Enforcement Unit.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Paul E. Krizek

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 237 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/6/2026

Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/19/2026

Rereferred from Education and Health to Rehabilitation and Social Services

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote 2/2/2026

Read third time and passed House Block Vote

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote 1/27/2026

Reported from Health and Human Services

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote 1/22/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0907)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 907 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB32)

    3/31/2026House
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/31/2026Governor
  5. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    3/31/2026House
  6. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  7. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB32ER)

    3/30/2026House
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    3/10/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/9/2026Senate
  13. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/9/2026Senate
  14. Rules suspended

    3/9/2026Senate
  15. Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services (15-Y 0-N)

    3/6/2026Senate
  16. Rereferred from Education and Health to Rehabilitation and Social Services (13-Y 0-N)

    2/19/2026Senate
  17. Referred to Committee on Education and Health

    2/3/2026Senate
  18. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/3/2026Senate
  19. Read third time and passed House Block Vote (99-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/2/2026House
  20. Read second time and engrossed

    1/30/2026House
  21. Read first time

    1/29/2026House
  22. Reported from Health and Human Services (22-Y 0-N)

    1/27/2026House
  23. Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N)

    1/22/2026House
  24. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB32)

    1/19/2026House
  25. Assigned sub: Behavioral Health

    1/16/2026House

Bill Text

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