Subcommittee hears bill to expand Reach Out and Read program, tables HB 525 7-0

Delegate Mark Downey, a pediatrician, asked the House Appropriations Health and Human Resources Subcommittee to expand the Reach Out and Read program to clinics on the program's waiting list across the Commonwealth. "The program provides a book at each well visit from birth to 5 years of age," Downey said, describing the typical distribution of roughly 14 books per child over five years and saying the program promotes early literacy and parent-child bonding.

Downey told members the bill accompanies a budget amendment requesting $252,000 in general funds with a $468,000 federal match to support program expansion and accompanying outreach costs. He said Reach Out and Read can increase well-visit attendance, aid earlier identification of developmental delays, and improve language acquisition by "up to 3 to 6 months." "This is one of my top priorities and it's very dear to my heart," Downey said.

After brief remarks from members, a subcommittee member moved to "gently lay" HB 525 on the table pending further budget sorting; the motion was seconded and the chair recorded the voice vote as 7 to nothing. The chair emphasized tabling is procedural and does not kill the proposal or any linked budget amendment; staff will continue to evaluate how the bill fits among hundreds of pending amendments.

Next steps: the bill and its attached budget amendment remain on the table while staff continue budget reconciliation and will inform the patron and members when further action is recommended.