No matter the weather, the 2025 Virginia General Assembly session will start on Wednesday, January 8 at noon. Committee meetings will begin Wednesday afternoon.
During the coming legislative session, dLCV intends to educate policymakers about the problems faced by children with disabilities who are in foster care. When children with disabilities age out of the foster care system, they find themselves suddenly with no resources, no safety net, and often no planning for their future. We note these proposed bills that may be helpful to these youth, and expect to see more in the early days of the session:
- HB 1631 (Keys-Gamarra) asks the Department of Social Services to supply new luggage to transport the personal belongings of a child in foster care.
- SB 773 (Favola) will require local departments of social services to develop housing plans for individuals leaving foster care due to age, with options for the youth. Assigned to the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Service, which meets on Friday mornings.
- SB 818 (Favola) requires social services to notify a child in foster care and others involved in the child’s life if the child is eligible to receive certain federal benefits. Assigned to the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Service, which meets on Friday mornings.
Our mission 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 policymakers about the potential impact of legislative proposals. Please let us know of any legislative proposals or budget issues that you think we should be following. Contact us at info@dlcv.org or by calling 800-552-3962 or 804-225-2042.