2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

24104874D

HOUSE BILL NO. 927

Offered January 10, 2024

Prefiled January 9, 2024

A BILL to direct the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security and the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to convene a work group to study and make recommendations on procedures for requiring health care providers or facilities to report to a law-enforcement officer in order to initiate procedures for the issuance of a substantial risk order.

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Patron—Shin

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Referred to Committee on Rules

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. That the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security and the Secretary of Health and Human Resources shall convene a work group to study and make recommendations on procedures for requiring health care providers or facilities to report to a law-enforcement officer if they believe a person poses a substantial risk of personal injury to himself or others in the near future by such person's possession or acquisition of a firearm in order to initiate procedures for the issuance of a substantial risk order pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 9.2 (§ 19.2-152.13 et seq.) of Title 19.2 of the Code of Virginia. The work group shall include representatives from the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, the Virginia State Police, the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, the Virginia Sheriffs' Association, the Virginia Association of Commonwealth's Attorneys, the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission, the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia, at least one licensed physician, at least one registered nurse, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, at least one public health research professional, and any other stakeholders deemed appropriate by the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security and the Secretary of Health and Human Resources. In conducting the study, the work group shall examine any other state laws that include a similar reporting requirement, consider and identify the best practices and procedures for implementing such reporting requirement, examine and identify the appropriate individuals or entities for whom such reporting requirement should apply, whether it be certain health care providers, health care facilities, or any other individual or entity identified by the work group, and analyze any potential issues with the reporting requirement. The work group shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by November 1, 2024.