VirginiaHB5292026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Suicide Prevention Program; created, deaths by suicide of veterans or military service members.

Sponsored By: Virgil Thornton (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator; deaths by suicide of veterans or military service members; State Registrar of Vital Records; Department of Veterans Services annual report. Adds to the duties of the Suicide Prevention Coordinator within the Department of Veterans Services the duty to (i) compile and analyze data relating to the suicides of veterans and military service members pursuant to death certificates filed with the State Registrar of Vital Records, with such data to be included in the Department's annual report, and (ii) collaborate with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to develop programs and resources related to suicide prevention for veterans and military service members. The bill provides that in any case where the death certificate of a veteran or military service member lists suicide as the manner of death, the State Registrar of Vital Records shall provide such information concerning the suicide to the Department.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Coordinator and grants to prevent veteran suicide

The law creates a Suicide Prevention Coordinator at the Department of Veterans Services. The Coordinator collects suicide data for veterans and service members from death certificates and includes it in the Department’s annual report. The State Registrar must send suicide information from veteran and service-member death certificates to the Department. The Coordinator expands screening, referrals, and training with partners, and runs local prevention grants when money is appropriated or otherwise available. The Coordinator also works with the state behavioral health agency to build veteran-focused resources.

Faster electronic death certificates and protections

A doctor or autonomous nurse practitioner must complete and file the medical part of a death certificate electronically within 24 hours after death, unless the Chief Medical Examiner has the case. Licensed funeral directors and state anatomical program staff must file death certificates electronically; next of kin may file on paper. Death certificates must be filed within three days and before final disposition or removal. When the Chief Medical Examiner has jurisdiction, that office must investigate and ensure the medical certification is filed within 24 hours after notification; if it declines jurisdiction, the last treating physician must file it. Clinicians and delegated staff who, in good faith, file a certificate or state a cause of death are immune from civil suits, except for gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Virgil Thornton

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 380 • No: 0

House vote 3/10/2026

Senate substitute agreed to by House

Yes: 99 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/25/2026

Reported from General Laws and Technology and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/19/2026

Rereferred from Education and Health to General Laws and Technology

Yes: 14 • No: 0

House vote 2/12/2026

Read third time and passed House Block Vote

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote 2/6/2026

Reported from Appropriations

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote 2/4/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 7 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote 1/29/2026

Reported from Health and Human Services with amendment(s) and referred to Appropriations

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote 1/27/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) and referring to Appropriations

Yes: 9 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0400)

    4/8/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 400 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/8/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB529)

    4/1/2026House
  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 (HB529ER)

    3/30/2026House
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB529)

    3/11/2026House
  11. Senate substitute agreed to by House (99-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026House
  12. Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/9/2026Senate
  13. Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to

    3/9/2026Senate
  14. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

    3/9/2026Senate
  15. Read third time

    3/9/2026Senate
  16. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/6/2026Senate
  17. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/5/2026Senate
  18. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/5/2026Senate
  19. Committee substitute printed 26109152D-S1

    3/5/2026Senate
  20. Rules suspended

    3/5/2026Senate
  21. Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (15-Y 0-N)

    3/4/2026Senate
  22. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB529)

    2/25/2026House
  23. Reported from General Laws and Technology and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)

    2/25/2026Senate
  24. Rereferred from Education and Health to General Laws and Technology (14-Y 0-N)

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

    2/13/2026Senate

Bill Text

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