The House Health, Welfare and Institutions Subcommittee voted 8-0 to report HB 1731, a bill from Delegate Delaney that sunsets an existing task force created by House Bill 808 (2020) and creates a temporary work group to find sustainable funding for sexual assault medical forensic examiners and related services.

Delegate Delaney said the 2020 task force fulfilled its original directive and ‘‘has met its directive’’ but that the Commonwealth still needs a focused group to develop long‑term funding solutions. She told the committee the new group will present its findings to a report to the General Assembly by November 1, 2025.

Davis Gammon of the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association told the panel the association is in “strong support” and thanked the delegate for her work on behalf of patients and providers. Laura Holdren of Bon Secours said Bon Secours houses the largest forensic nursing program in the state and supports the bill.

There was no opposition in the hearing. The subcommittee voted to report HB 1731 to the next stage by a voice vote recorded as 8 to nothing.

The bill requires the work group to develop options for sustainable funding and deliver a report to the General Assembly on Nov. 1, 2025.