Virginia Senate subcommittee advances health, juvenile‑justice and care‑home bills; several measures carried to budget A Senate subcommittee in Richmond reviewed about 15 bills on Jan. 1, 2026, reporting several with substitutes and carrying others for budget consideration. Key items included a proposed advisory council and fund for veteran 'breakthrough therapies' (psilocybin) carried for budget review, a work group to study moving the Department of Juvenile Justice to Health and Human Resources (reported), and a new registry for substantiated adult‑abuse cases (carried).

Virginia's Senate subcommittee is making waves with proposals for veteran psilocybin therapies, a shift in juvenile justice approaches, and new safety measures for adult care—big changes are on the horizon!

Click to read more!

#VA #VirginiaVeterans #PublicHealth #JuvenileJustice #CitizenPortal

Senators debate non‑reappointment of former governor’s appointees as resolution passes unanimously Senate Joint Resolution 70, covering confirmation of gubernatorial appointments, passed unanimously but drew objections from multiple senators who said the chamber had not reappointed several experienced appointees; supporters said these were reappointments under review and characterized the process as vetting, not removal.

A heated debate erupted in the Virginia Senate as they unanimously passed a resolution, but the question remains: were experienced appointees truly removed or simply not reappointed?

Click to read more!

#VA #CivicAccountability #VirginiaVeterans #CitizenPortal #InstitutionalTrust

Subcommittee backs study to assess expanding line‑of‑duty tuition waivers for families The subcommittee reported a substitute on House Bill 56 directing the Department of Veterans Services, SCHEV and public colleges to study the cost and verification rules for expanding tuition waivers tied to line‑of‑duty deaths and to report by Dec. 1, 2026; a veteran and advocate raised concerns about stepchildren and suicide‑related exclusions.

A Virginia subcommittee is pushing for a comprehensive study on expanding tuition waivers for families of fallen service members, but concerns about stepchildren and suicide policy could complicate the outcome.

Read the full story

#VA #VirginiaVeterans #PolicyAnalysis #CitizenPortal

Panel approves honor-guard grant program after veterans and volunteers testify The subcommittee unanimously reported House Bill 108, which directs the Department of Veterans Services to create an honor guard grant program for veteran service organizations; supporters said the grants would help defray uniform, transportation and recruitment costs.

Virginia's Transportation Public Safety Subcommittee just passed a bill to support veteran honor guards, ensuring our heroes receive the dignified funerals they deserve!

Click to read more!

#VA #VirginiaVeterans #CitizenPortal #VeteranSupport #CommunityService #MilitaryHonors

Panel advances veterans‑claims consumer protections after split testimony over 'claim sharks' A House subcommittee moved HB 398, the Safeguarding American Veterans Empowerment Act, to Appropriations with amendments after supporters said it curbs predatory practices by paid preparers while opponents — including the VFW — warned it would legitimize unaccredited paid claim services.

Virginia's HB 398 aims to protect veterans from predatory claims practices while ensuring they can still choose their assistance, but not everyone agrees on the potential consequences.

Click to read more!

#VA #VirginiaVeterans #PredatoryPractices #CitizenPortal #VeteransBenefits

Virginia panel backs measure to align state drug scheduling with federal approvals for new therapies House Bill 13 47 would require the Virginia Board of Pharmacy to reschedule controlled substances when the DEA/FDA does so, aiming to speed patient access to FDA‑approved psychedelic‑assisted therapies; the subcommittee reported the bill 9‑1 after testimony from clinicians, veterans, industry and the Board of Pharmacy.

Virginia is one step closer to faster access to life-changing psychedelic therapies as House Bill 13 47 gains overwhelming support from clinicians and veterans alike.

Learn more here!

#VA #PsychedelicTherapies #VirginiaVeterans #CitizenPortal #PatientEmpowerment #MentalHealthAccess

Subcommittees report veterans and workforce measures, including honor guard grants and an internship coordinator The subcommittee reported multiple veterans and workforce bills: HB54 (internship coordinator) was referred to Appropriations; HB108 (honor guard grant program) reported and referred; HB354 directs a veterans online portal. Several other workforce and small business bills were reported.

Virginia's subcommittees are paving the way for veterans and workforce development with groundbreaking bills, including honor guard grants and a new internship coordinator!

Learn more here

#VA #InternshipProgram #WorkforceDevelopment #VirginiaVeterans #VeteranServices #CitizenPortal

DGS updates senators on Capitol Square projects, Central State demolition and property sales The Department of General Services told the Senate subcommittee it has completed facility assessments for Capitol Square, is marketing the James Monroe Building and 7th & Main for sale, plans demolition at Central State beginning April 2026, and is advancing multiple construction projects including a forensic lab and a new state police training academy.

Exciting developments are underway as Virginia's Department of General Services reveals plans for major building projects, property sales, and renovations, all guided by comprehensive facility assessments!

Learn more here

#VA #CommunityPlanning #VirginiaVeterans #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal

Committee backs bill to codify veterans suicide-prevention program and send it to Appropriations The subcommittee voted 9–0 to report House Bill 529, which would codify the Department of Veterans Services' suicide-prevention program into law to enable long-term planning, require better interagency data-sharing, and authorize opioid and substance-use training and resources for veterans.

A vital step for our veterans: House Bill 529 aims to codify a life-saving suicide-prevention program, enhancing resources and support for those who served.

Click to read more!

#VA #VirginiaVeterans #MentalHealthSupport #SubstanceUseResources #CitizenPortal #DataSharingInitiatives

Subcommittee backs honor guard grant program and refers measure to appropriations HB 108 would create a state honor guard grant program to help veteran service organizations cover costs such as uniforms and travel; subcommittee referred the bill to appropriations after testimony from VSOs about cost burdens and funeral volume.

Virginia's HB 108 could provide vital funding for veteran service organizations, ensuring they have the resources to honor our heroes with dignity and respect.

Learn more here

#VA #FundingInitiatives #VirginiaVeterans #MilitaryHonor #CitizenPortal #VeteranSupport

Subcommittee amendment to HB529 transfers suicide-prevention duties in veterans services; committee reports with amendment to appropriations HB529, which removes a suicide-prevention coordinator position in the Department of Veterans Services and transfers duties to a suicide prevention program while adding data-sharing and substance-abuse screening duties, was reported with amendment and referred to appropriations 16–0.

Virginia's HB529 is reshaping veteran suicide prevention by transferring key duties to a dedicated program and enhancing support for substance abuse—what does this mean for our heroes?

Click to read more!

#VA #VirginiaVeterans #MentalHealth #SubstanceAbuse #SuicidePrevention #CitizenPortal

Substitute for HB 137 adopts CPI adjustment for military retiree tax relief and is referred to Appropriations The committee approved a substitute to HB 137 that replaces a large fixed-step reduction with an annual CPI-tied cost-of-living adjustment for military retiree pensions; the substitute was reported and referred to Appropriations (transcript records a report of 9 to 0 and substitute approval referred by a vote of 10 to 0).

Virginia's new approach to military retiree tax relief ties benefits to the cost of living, ensuring fairness and competitiveness for veterans.

Get the details!

#VA #ConsumerPriceIndex #VirginiaVeterans #TaxRelief #MilitaryBenefits #CitizenPortal

Honored to collaborate with the Virginia Department of Veterans Services at the Entrepreneurship 101 Workshop on Nov 18! 🇺🇸

📍 UVA Northern Virginia Campus, Fairfax
🕣 8:30 AM–3:30 PM

#VeteranOwned #Entrepreneurship #VirginiaVeterans #MilitarySpouse #WordsOfVeterans

Virginia Veterans Find Career Opportunities in Energy Efficiency Sector Energy efficiency jobs help Virginia veterans transition to civilian careers and utilize skills.

Energy efficiency standards set to save American households over $500 annually are also creating vital job opportunities for veterans transitioning to civilian life.

Learn more here!

#US #CitizenPortal #VirginiaVeterans #WorkforceDevelopment #EnergyEfficiency

Connecticut Helps Promote Veterans Who Became Farmers After Their Military Service A number of veterans have turned to farming after their service, a move that was highlighted this week at the 2nd Annual Veteran Farmers Market that showcased items grown or made by veterans throughou...

I love this! #connecticut Helps Promote #veterans Who Became #farmers After Their #military Service #veteranfarmerscoalition #virginiaveterans
www.military.com/daily-news/2...

Representative McGuire introduces Virginia Data Transparency and Trust Act for VA oversight McGuire’s bill aims to enhance oversight and data reporting for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Representative McGuire's new bill tackles alarming suicide rates among veterans and demands greater transparency in VA spending.

Learn more here

#US #CitizenPortal #VirginiaVeterans #CivicAccountability #VeteransHealthcare #DataTransparency

Senator demands transparency on layoffs and veterans from Secretary Kennedy's department Senator questions Secretary Kennedy on RIF numbers and transparency amid ongoing litigation.

Senators are calling out the Department of Health and Human Services for a troubling lack of transparency on layoffs and its impact on veterans, questioning if accountability is a priority.

Get the details!

#US #CitizenPortal #TransparencyInGovernment #VirginiaVeterans #CivicAccountability

Senator Warner addresses Veterans Committee on mental health and suicide prevention Warner emphasizes urgent need for action on veteran mental health and suicide prevention.

Senator Warner's passionate plea for immediate action on veterans' mental health shines a light on a crisis that demands our attention.

Click to read more!

#US #VirginiaVeterans #CitizenPortal #MentalHealthSupport #CivicAccountability #VeteranSuicidePrevention

Virginia committee advances legislation for disabled veterans' driveway tax exemption Committee approves bill clarifying tax exemption for driveways owned by disabled veterans.

Virginia's Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee is making strides to ease the financial burden on disabled veterans by clarifying tax exemptions for their driveways.

Click to read more!

#VA #ChildcareSupport #VeteranSuicidePrevention #TaxReform #VirginiaVeterans #CitizenPortal