House subcommittee forwards overhaul of 'reasonable efforts' in foster-care law after contentious debate

A substitute for HB 775, presented by Delegate Talia Thornton, would define what constitutes reasonable — and in some cases "active" — efforts to reunify families in child-welfare cases, a change sponsors and advocates said is needed to address Virginia's low reunification rate.

"Virginia has a unification rate of only 27% among the worst in the nation," Thornton said, citing national averages as context. Advocates from the Virginia Poverty Law Center and parents with lived experience urged the committee to adopt clearer statutory standards so courts and social-service agencies apply consistent expectations and families receive timely services.

Court officials and the Office of Executive Secretary (OES) cautioned that some provisions deviate from longstanding federal-alignment practice, could require dozens of new court forms and training, and risk Title IV‑E funding if not carefully harmonized. Beth Coyne of OES warned that the substitute "retains troubling aspects" because it changes where certain reasonable-effort findings appear in dependency proceedings and may prompt continuances if evidence disclosure requirements are ambiguous.

After extended debate and acknowledgement of substantial stakeholder work left to do, the subcommittee reported the substitute (7–1) and referred it to the Appropriations Committee, noting the bill will undergo further technical review and negotiation before final floor action.