Our mission, at the disAbility Law Center of Virginia, is to advance independence, choice and self-determination; protect legal, human and civil rights; and eliminate abuse, neglect and discrimination of people with disabilities through zealous and uncompromising legal advocacy and representation. We are available to educate policy makers about the potential impact of legislative proposals.
As noted before here, the legislature adopts a two-year budget, during even-numbered years. Governor Youngkin proposed a budget, captured in SB 30 and HB 30, this past December. Senate Finance and House Appropriations committees heard testimony from various agencies about the expenditures needed for their operation. The committees also got budget briefings from legislative services staff. All of these presentations were public and can be found online at: htpss://lis.virginia.gov
On Sunday, February 22, 2026, the House and Senate money committees announced their proposed amendments to SB 30 and HB 30.
The proposed amendments from the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations are, largely, geared to try to address the huge gaps created by changes at the federal level. There are very few amendments that are specifically to address service needs of people with disabilities alone.
You can find the proposed amendments at this link:
https://budget.lis.virginia.gov/amendments/2026/1/
Notably, the Senate proposals contain language at item 333 #3S to require that the Department of Social Services to develop regulations, by July 1, 2027, to ensure that children with disabilities who are in foster care can retain federal benefits like social security. The House proposals do not contain that language.
Both the Senate and the House will debate their proposal on Thursday, February 26, 2026. There is an internal deadline for completion of the bills in their house of origin by the end of the day Thursday.