WHEREAS, in 2022 there were 2,490 drug overdose deaths among Virginians; and
WHEREAS, nearly eight out of 10 drug overdose deaths in Virginia in 2022 were caused by fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, and tramadol; and
WHEREAS, there were 22,398 drug overdose emergency department visits among Virginians in 2022, a five percent increase from 2021; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Joint Commission on Health Care be directed to study policy solutions to the Commonwealth's fentanyl crisis.
In conducting its study, the Joint Commission on Health Care shall (i) study the causes of the rise in fentanyl prevalence and fentanyl overdoses in the Commonwealth, (ii) study the impact of the rise in fentanyl prevalence and fentanyl overdoses in the Commonwealth on Virginians and the Commonwealth's health care system, (iii) study and provide insight into the fentanyl crisis within the context of other drug crises and addiction trends in recent history, and (iv) establish and make policy recommendations related to reducing the prevalence of fentanyl in the Commonwealth and reducing the number of fentanyl overdoses in the Commonwealth.
All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Joint Commission on Health Care for this study, upon request.
The Joint Commission on Health Care shall complete its
meetings for the first year by November 30, 2024, and for the second year
by November 30, 2025, and the chairman shall submit to the Division of
Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and
recommendations no later than the first day of the next Regular Session of the
General Assembly for each year. Each executive summary shall state whether the
Joint Commission on Health Care intends to submit to the General Assembly and
the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a
House or Senate document. The executive summaries and reports shall be
submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative
Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and
shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.