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2024 SESSION

24101884D
HOUSE BILL NO. 537
Offered January 10, 2024
Prefiled January 9, 2024
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 8 of Title 63.2 a section numbered 63.2-807, relating to Home Visiting Program established; report.
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Patrons-- Cole, Gardner, Bennett-Parker, Clark, Henson, Martinez, Mundon King, Shin and Simonds
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Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services
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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 8 of Title 63.2 a section numbered 63.2-807 as follows:

§ 63.2-807. Home Visiting Program established; purpose; report.

A. The Home Visiting Program (the Program) is hereby created as a voluntary maternal, infant, and early childhood program to support pregnant people and parents with young children that face greater risks and barriers to achieving positive maternal and child health outcomes.

B. The purpose of the Program shall be to (i) promote the health and wellbeing of pregnant people and parents, (ii) improve infant and child health and development, (iii) strengthen family functioning, (iv) promote school readiness, (v) reduce child abuse and neglect, (vi) promote economic mobility, and (vii) cultivate strong communities.

C. Program services shall be provided by family support professionals trained to implement evidence-based and evidence-informed program models. Such family support professionals shall demonstrate proficiency in standardized competency-based criteria and shall provide anticipatory guidance, parenting education, parenting conduct screening, assessment for and referrals to necessary support services, and developmental and behavioral health interventions.

D. The Program shall operate in accordance with the Virginia Plan for Home Visiting established and maintained by Early Impact Virginia. The Program shall utilize the Virginia Plan for Home Visiting when determining how to award funds. The Program shall maximize the receipt and use of any available federal funds.

E. The Program shall, in coordination with the Department, the Department of Health, the Department of Medical Assistance Services, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, and the Department of Education (the State Agencies), coordinate approval of funding, allocation of funds, and data reporting with Early Impact Virginia for all home visiting models within the Virginia Plan for Home Visiting. This subsection shall not apply to funding provided to the Commonwealth under the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program administered by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. The Program shall attempt to ensure coordination between the Program and the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program in order to minimize administrative burdens and maximize effective service delivery.

F. The Program shall allocate funding in a manner that balances the need for statewide funding with the need to ensure sufficient funding for meaningful services. The Program shall determine such funding allocation in collaboration with Early Impact Virginia, state agencies, and any other relevant stakeholders.

G. The Department may provide funding to support programs that did not participate in the Virginia Home Visiting Program, as originally established by the Department prior to the enactment of this section, to support planning activities for future participation in the Program.

H. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, to the extent that federal funding is provided for the Program or its purposes, the Program shall only authorize the use of such federal funds in a manner that complies with applicable federal requirements.

I. The Department shall submit a biennial report to the Governor and the General Assembly. Such report shall include information on outcomes for Program participants as outlined in the Virginia Plan for Home Visiting; however, the data in such report shall include only nonidentifying information of Program participants.