Bill Text: VA HB1293 | 2024 | Regular Session | Prefiled

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Bill Title: Behavioral health and nursing; revision of policies that hinder, etc., health care workforce.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-02-01 - Continued to 2025 in Rules by voice vote [HB1293 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2024-HB1293-Prefiled.html

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24101480D
HOUSE BILL NO. 1293 Offered January 10, 2024 Prefiled January 10, 2024 A BILL to direct the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority to convene a work group to identify and propose revisions to current regulations and policies that hinder the development, retention, and productivity of the health care workforce in behavioral health and nursing; report. ---------- Patron-- Willett ---------- Committee Referral Pending ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. §1. That the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority (the Authority) shall convene a work group consisting of the Director of the Authority or his designee; the Director of the Department of Health Professions; the Deputy Secretary of Higher Education; the Deputy Secretary of Labor; the Chair of the Virginia Board of Workforce Development; one representative each from the Board of Nursing, Board of Counseling, and Board of Psychology; and the Chairs of the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions and the Senate Committee on Education and Health for the purpose of identifying and proposing revisions to current regulations and policies that hinder the development, retention, and productivity of the health care workforce in behavioral health and nursing. The work group shall elect one of its members to serve as its chairman. The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support to the Authority. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Authority, upon request. In identifying and proposing its revisions, the work group shall focus on (i) revising barrier crimes legislation affecting the employment of peer recovery specialists and substance abuse workers; (ii) recommending statutory changes to empower the Board of Nursing to amplify nursing education and training capabilities; and (iii) reevaluating and adjusting the qualifications for qualified mental health professionals. The work group shall submit a report on its recommendations to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions and the Senate Committee on Education and Health and to the Governor by October 1, 2025.