2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26102581D

HOUSE BILL NO. 48

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled December 29, 2025

A BILL to direct the Department of Health to convene a work group to develop a statewide strategic plan to reduce suicides among at-risk populations in the Commonwealth; report.

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Patrons—Reid and Lopez

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Referred to Committee on Rules

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. The Department of Health (the Department) shall convene a work group to develop a statewide strategic plan (the Plan) to reduce suicides among at-risk populations in the Commonwealth, including youth, veterans, rural residents, LGBTQ+ individuals, communities of color, and other populations that experience disproportionate rates of suicide. In developing the plan, the work group shall identify key performance indicators that should be measured to achieve the goal of reducing suicides among at-risk populations and shall use these key performance indicators to compare Virginia's current progress on such goal to other states. The work group shall propose legislation and budget amendments that are clearly mapped to and address the identified key performance indicators and shall propose a framework for data sharing between governmental agencies to improve suicide prevention efforts. Such work group shall consist of the Secretary of Health or his designee, the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services or his designee, the Commissioner of Veterans Services or his designee, the Secretary of Education or his designee, the chair of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia or his designee, a member of the Board of Veterans Services, a member of a suicide prevention organization, and a professional who works in suicide prevention. The Secretary of Health or his designee shall be responsible for convening the meetings, taking minutes, publishing minutes, and submitting the results of the work group. The work group shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the Governor, the Joint Commission on Health Care, the Chair of the House Committee on Health and Human Services, and the Chair of the Senate Committee on Education and Health by November 1, 2026.