Authority: Title 2.1, Chapter 5.2, and § 2.1-51.10:1, Code of Virginia.
A. The Secretary of Health and Human Resources shall report to the Governor and the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees, by November 15 of each year, on the progress in implementing welfare reform and in securing private sector jobs for recipients of Aid to Families with Dependent Children.
B. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996 (PL 104-193, Section 402) provides $20,000,000 for the five states that achieve the most significant reduction in the magnitude of non-marital births while reducing the rate of induced pregnancy terminations below 1995 levels. In the event the Commonwealth receives these federal funds, the total amount shall be distributed to local governments based on their pro rata reduction of non-marital child bearing and participation in the Partners in Prevention Initiative established by the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to encourage and support community-directed strategies that address this critical social issue.
C. The Secretaries of Health and Human Resources and Transportation shall review existing data and information pertaining to the adequacy of public transportation services to meet the needs of the elderly, the disabled, and other citizens throughout Virginia for whom basic transportation is a serious challenge. The Secretaries also shall consult with organizations with special knowledge of this issue, review efforts by organizations to coordinate and cooperate in the delivery of transportation services, consider models used in other states to provide special transportation services, and evaluate state reimbursement rates for their adequacy. The Secretaries shall provide a report by December 20, 1998, to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees. The report shall include recommendations for service expansions, changes, cooperation, coordination, and funding.
D. The Secretary of Health and Human Resources, in conjunction with the State Executive Council for the Comprehensive Services Act, shall examine the recommendations of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission regarding the placement of the state Office of Comprehensive Services. The Secretary and Council shall report to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees by November 1, 1998, with recommendations for placement of the Office in the state government structure.
E.1. Out of this appropriation, $110,000 the first year and $110,000 the second year shall be provided from the general fund for the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to hire or contract for the services of an inspector to provide oversight of activities undertaken by the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services to comply with requirements under the federal Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act at the fifteen mental health and mental retardation facilities.
2. It is the intent of the General Assembly that this position or contract be established on a pilot basis to determine its utility and effectiveness in providing permanent oversight for the improvement of the current system of patient care at state mental hospitals and training centers. The Secretary of Health and Human Resources shall report to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees, by January 1 of each year, on the activities and impact of the inspector on improving patient care at state facilities.