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2023 SESSION

23104122D
HOUSE BILL NO. 2477
Offered January 20, 2023
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 26 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 38, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-2699.16 and 2.2-2699.17, relating to creation of Care Economy Business Council; powers and duties; membership.
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Patron-- Glass
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 26 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 38, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-2699.16 and 2.2-2699.17, as follows:

Article 38.
Care Economy Business Council.

§ 2.2-2699.16. Care Economy Business Council; purpose; membership; compensation; chairman.

A. The Care Economy Business Council (the Council) is established as an advisory council, within the meaning of § 2.2-2100, in the executive branch of state government. The purpose of the Council shall be to advise the Governor on policy and funding priorities to determine and implement equitable practices to support persons employed in the direct care workforce.

B. The Council shall have a total membership of 12 members that shall consist of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources or his designee, the Secretary of Labor or his designee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority or his designee, four members of the House of Delegates to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates, two members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, and three nonlegislative citizen members to be appointed by the Governor.

C. Legislative members of the Council shall receive such compensation as provided in § 30-19.12. Nonlegislative citizen members shall serve without compensation. All members shall be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825. Funding for compensation and expenses of legislative members shall be provided by the operating budgets of the Clerk of the House of Delegates and the Clerk of the Senate upon approval of the Joint Rules Committee. The Governor shall designate the Secretariat of Health and Human Resources or the Secretariat of Labor provide funding for the costs of expenses of the nonlegislative citizen members and all other expenses of the Council.

D. The Council shall elect a chairman and a vice-chairman annually from among its membership. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. The Council shall meet at such times as may be called by the chairman or a majority of the Council.

E. Staff to the Council shall be provided by the Secretary of Health and Human Resources. The Division of Legislative Services shall provide additional staff support to legislative members serving on the Council.

§ 2.2-2699.17. Powers and duties of the Council.

The Council shall have the power and duty to:

1. Monitor policy interventions and development efforts of other states and nations;

2. Advise the Governor and the General Assembly on policies and strategies related to increasing the available workforce of persons eligible and qualified for work in direct care;

3. Annually report to the Governor on the progress of maintaining a workforce of persons employed in direct care that is capable of meeting the direct care needs of the Commonwealth; and

4. Monitor regulatory and policy changes for potential impact on the availability of direct care workers and environmental conditions impacting such workers' willingness to continue working in direct care.