Subcommittee sends substituted opioid/fentanyl response bill to appropriations, designating VDH as lead agency

Delegate Atusa Reeser told the Social Services Subcommittee that HB 794 (as substituted) aims to give the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) authority to lead a coordinated statewide response to opioids and other drug overdoses, including fentanyl.

Reeser said the substitute, made at VDH’s recommendation, replaces the term "opioid" with the broader term "drug" in places and would authorize VDH to convene state agencies, establish a statewide strategic opioid/drug response plan, and use public-health data to measure and guide interventions. "This bill would... designate the Virginia Department of Health as the Commonwealth's lead agency for comprehensive opioid response," Reeser said.

Committee counsel clarified that the substitute keeps opioid-specific language in sections while widening scope in other places to cover drug overdoses generally.

Following questions, a member moved to report the substitute and refer HB 794 to the Appropriations Committee. The motion was seconded and the subcommittee recommended the bill be reported and referred to Appropriations unanimously. Supporters framed the bill as an effort to reduce duplication and improve accountability across agencies involved in prevention, treatment, harm reduction, enforcement and recovery.

The subcommittee’s recommendation sends the substitute to full committee and, if reported out of committee, to Appropriations for further consideration of funding and implementation details.