Department of Health (601)

Authority: §§ 32.1-11, 32.1-77, and 32.1-89 through 32.1-90, Code of Virginia; P.L. 94-566, as amended, Title V of the U.S. Social Security Act and Title X of the U.S. Public Health Service Act, Federal Code; and P.L. 95-627, as amended, Federal Code.

A. Out of this appropriation, $455,000 the first year and $455,000 the second year from the general fund shall be designated for the operation of the teenage pregnancy prevention programs in the health districts of Richmond, Norfolk, Alexandria, Roanoke City, Crater, Portsmouth, and Eastern Shore.

B. Out of this appropriation, $952,807 the first year and $952,807 the second year from special funds is provided to support the newborn screening program and its expansion pursuant to Chapters 717 and 721, Act of Assembly of 2005.  Fee revenues sufficient to fund the Department of Health's costs of the program and its expansion shall be transferred from the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services.

C. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children is exempt from the requirements of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).

D. Out of this appropriation, $200,000 the first year and $200,000 the second year from the general fund shall be provided to the department's sickle cell program to address rising pediatric caseloads in the current program. Any remaining funds shall be used to develop transition services for youth who will require adult services to ensure appropriate medical services are available and provided for youth who age out of the current program.

E. The commissioner of the Department of Health, in cooperation with the director of the Division of Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Community Nutrition Services, shall provide a written report not later than December 15 of each year to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees on (i) the progress of the multi-state procurement of a multi-state computerized database "WIC System" known formally as the Crossroads Design, Development and Implementation WIC System; (ii) the division's efforts to ensure that in designing and successfully procuring the WIC System that adequate participant access can be achieved without the current use of slotting or other similar vendor-limiting criteria and the system allows peer groups to be changed to reflect marketplace dynamics and ensure a more equitable vendor comparison; and (iii) the division's efforts to coordinate these changes in collaboration with the division's existing Retail Advisory Groups and other stakeholders.

F. Out of this appropriation, $500,000 the first year from the general fund shall be used to increase enrollment in the Plan First program.  Any unexpended funds to expand access to the Plan First program the first year shall be available for appropriation in the second year.

F. It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Commissioner of Health continue providing services through child development clinics and access to children's dental services.