Senator Ghazala Hashmi presented SB 981, a bill implementing a Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC) recommendation that the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) report annually on community health workers (CHWs) employed by VDH and local health departments.

Hashmi said VDH employed 130 CHWs as of September 2024 and reminded the subcommittee that the General Assembly appropriated $3.2 million per year for fiscal years 2025–26 to fund CHW positions at state and local health departments. The bill requires VDH to report annually by Nov. 1 to the chairs of the Senate Finance and Appropriations and House Appropriations Committees and the director of the Department of Planning and Budget on the number of CHWs, the types of services provided, the need for additional CHWs, and any nonstate funding sources used to support CHW positions.

Estella, senior policy analyst at JCHC, was present and available to answer questions. No opposition was recorded. The subcommittee moved and seconded a recommendation to report SB 981 to the full committee; roll call recorded unanimous support in subcommittee.