GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to § 6 of Article V of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto House Bill 667.

HB 667 establishes the Office of Comprehensive Services for At-Risk Youth and Families to serve as the administrative agency of the State Executive Council for At-Risk Youth and Families and eliminates the State Management Team.

I agree that there is value in reforming the Comprehensive Services Act. However, the establishment of the Office of Comprehensive Services for At-Risk Youth and Families and the elimination of the State Management Team, as proposed, destroys the strong interagency cooperation of the Act. Further, I am advised by the Virginia School Boards Association that, as written, HB 667 could impair the ability of local school boards to provide needed services to disabled students.

During the period awaiting the 1999 Session, further refinement can take place in the reform effort in hopes of developing legislation that will resolve concerns that were expressed regarding HB 667 as passed by the 1998 General Assembly. With this goal in mind, I have asked all of the affected agencies within the executive branch to work together over the coming months to address many of the issues raised.