Subcommittee backs bill to add recovery specialist, gaming-enforcement rep to problem-gambling advisory committee

Delegate Kracik introduced House Bill 32, saying the measure "expands the membership of the Problem Gambling treatment and support advisory committee" to add two seats: an employee of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services who specializes in recovery and treatment services and a representative from the Virginia State Gaming Enforcement Unit.

The bill sponsor said the advisory committee was established in 2023 and called the group "very hardworking," citing the panel's role in coordinating prevention, treatment providers and legal gaming operators. The sponsor also stated a public-health concern: "It is no other addiction has as many suicides as problem gambling does. It's number one suicide addiction," a claim made during the presentation (not challenged or substantiated during the subcommittee meeting).

Members asked no substantive technical questions and no public witnesses spoke for or against the bill either in person or online. Delegate Cherry moved to report the bill out of the subcommittee and a member seconded. The roll was opened and closed and the clerk announced that the bill was reported; later the clerk recorded the report as seven yeas and no nays.

The bill will proceed from the subcommittee to the next stage of the House process for further consideration.