Virginia HB 529: Suicide Prevention Program; created, deaths by suicide of veterans or military service members.

Bill Text

2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26104848D

HOUSE BILL NO. 529

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 13, 2026

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-2004.2, 32.1-263, and 32.1-283 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Suicide Prevention Program created; deaths by suicide of veterans or military service members; inquiry by State Registrar of Vital Records; Department of Veterans Services annual report.

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Patrons—Thornton, Keys-Gamarra, LeVere Bolling, Reid, Anderson, Anthony, Bennett-Parker, Callsen, Carroll, Clark, Cohen, Cole, N.T., Cousins, Downey, Feggans, Franklin, L.V., Franklin, M.A., Guzman, Henson, Laufer, Maldonado, Martinez, McGuire, Mehta, Pope Adams, Price, Schmidt, Shin and Tran

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Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 2.2-2004.2, 32.1-263, and 32.1-283 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 2.2-2004.2. Suicide Prevention Program created; duties; report.

A. There is created in the Department of Veterans Services the position of Suicide Prevention Coordinator Program (the Program) to support and closely coordinate effective mental health care services for military service members and veterans and their families.

B. The Suicide Prevention Coordinator purpose of the Program shall be to:

1. Gather data on mental health and substance use challenges commonly experienced by military service members and veterans and their families that may lead to suicide;

2. In coordination with federal, state, and local partners, gather, review, analyze, and disseminate timely federal, state, and local data on the quantity, common causes, and methods of suicide utilized among military service members, veterans, and their family members;

3. Collaborate with federal, state, and local partners to increase mental health, substance abuse use, and suicide risk screenings and refer military service members and veterans and their family members to the appropriate behavioral health and medical professionals or services;

4. Identify and coordinate new behavioral health and suicide prevention opportunities and funding for those opportunities and, from such funds as may be appropriated or are otherwise available for this purpose, administer a grant program to assist local partners in implementing and coordinating suicide prevention efforts in local communities;

5. Provide suicide prevention, opioid addiction, and substance use resources, training, and support to federal, state, and local agencies; and

6. Compile and analyze data relating to the suicides of veterans and military service members pursuant to death certificates filed with the State Registrar of Vital Records in accordance with § 32.1-263. Such data shall be included in the annual report submitted in accordance with the provisions of § 2.2-2001; and

7. Perform other duties as may be required to effectively provide suicide prevention resources, training, and support to military service members, veterans, and their families.

C. The Commissioner shall include a summary of the work of the Suicide Prevention Coordinator Program in the annual report to the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, the Governor, and the General Assembly as required pursuant to subdivision 9 of § 2.2-2004.

§ 32.1-263. Filing death certificates; medical certification; investigation by Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

A. A death certificate, including, if known, the social security number or control number issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to § 46.2-342 of the deceased, shall be filed for each death that occurs in the Commonwealth. Non-electronically filed death certificates shall be filed with the registrar of any district in the Commonwealth within three days after such death and prior to final disposition or removal of the body from the Commonwealth. Electronically filed death certificates shall be filed with the State Registrar of Vital Records through the Electronic Death Registration System within three days after such death and prior to final disposition or removal of the body from the Commonwealth. Any death certificate shall be registered by such registrar if it has been completed and filed in accordance with the following requirements:

1. If the place of death is unknown, but the dead body is found in the Commonwealth, the death shall be registered in the Commonwealth and the place where the dead body is found shall be shown as the place of death. If the date of death is unknown, it shall be determined by approximation, taking into consideration all relevant information, including information provided by the immediate family regarding the date and time that the deceased was last seen alive, if the individual died in his home; and

2. When death occurs in a moving conveyance, in the United States of America and the body is first removed from the conveyance in the Commonwealth, the death shall be registered in the Commonwealth and the