HOUSE BILL NO. 1024

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by the House Committee on Rules

on ________________)

(Patron Prior to Substitute—Delegate Walker)

A BILL to direct the Department of Social Services to convene a work group to evaluate and make recommendations on revising the allocation formula for funding for local departments of social services; report.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. That the Department of Social Services shall convene a work group to evaluate the existing allocation formula for funding for local departments of social services and make recommendations to supplement existing population-based funding allocation methods with a caseload-driven funding model. In developing its recommendations, the work group shall utilize data on recent caseload trends and projected future growth to ensure allocations are responsive to service demands, prioritize active caseload volume over total population in determining funding, and evaluate compensatory measures that reflect hours worked and operational limitations faced by community services agencies. The work group shall submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by November 1, 2026.