HB1511 • 2026

Fatherhood Initiative; fatherhood needs assessment, etc.

<p class=ldtitle>A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 63.2 a section numbered 63.2-214.4, by adding a section numbered 63.2-319.1, and by adding in Title 63.2 a chapter numbered 24, consisting of a section numbered 63.2-2400, relating to Fatherhood Initiative; fatherhood needs assessment; Fatherhood Initiative Grants Program and Fund established.</p>

Children Taxes

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor: Feggans
Last action: 2026-02-18
Official status: Failed
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not explicitly establish a separate grant program, but it allows for the use of existing funding sources.

Fatherhood Initiative Law

This law directs Virginia's social services department to create and implement a Fatherhood Initiative that recognizes fathers as essential partners in child well-being, and it allows local boards to conduct needs assessments for father support services.

What This Bill Does

Directs the Virginia Department of Social Services to develop and implement the Fatherhood Initiative to recognize fathers' importance in child and family well-being.
Allows each local board of social services to undertake a needs assessment to address the unique needs of fathers served by their department.

Who It Names or Affects

Virginia Department of Social Services
Local boards of social services across Virginia

Terms To Know

Fatherhood Initiative: A program to recognize and support fathers as essential partners in child and family well-being.
Needs Assessment: An evaluation by local social service boards to address the unique needs of fathers served by their department.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not require new funding sources; it uses existing resources.
It is unclear how the effectiveness of the initiative will be measured or reported.

Bill History

2026-02-18 House
Left in Committee Appropriations
2026-02-13 Health and Human Services
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1511)
2026-02-13 Health & Human Resources
Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (7-Y 0-N)
2026-02-13 Health & Human Resources
House subcommittee offered
2026-02-10 Health & Human Resources
Assigned HAPP sub: Health & Human Resources
2026-02-10 Health and Human Services
Reported from Health and Human Services with substitute and referred to Appropriations (21-Y 1-N)
2026-02-10 Health and Human Services
Committee substitute printed 26107323D-H1
2026-02-05 Social Services
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute and referring to Appropriations (8-Y 0-N)
2026-02-05 Social Services
House subcommittee offered
2026-01-30 Social Services
Assigned sub: Social Services
2026-01-23 House
Presented and ordered printed 26105747D
2026-01-23 Health and Human Services
Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services

Official Summary Text

Fatherhood Initiative
; fatherhood needs assessment; Fatherhood Initiative Grants Program and Fund established.
Requires the Virginia Department of Social Services to develop and implement the Fatherhood Initiative for the purpose of focusing on the recognition of fathers as essential partners in child and family well-being, addressing a critical gap in family support services, and promoting positive father involvement linked to improved maternal, child, and family outcomes. Under the bill, each local board of social services shall undertake a needs assessment to ensure that the local department of social services is addressing the unique needs of the fathers of children served by the local department. The bill also establishes the Fatherhood Initiative Grants Program and Fund, which awards grants to community-based organizations to address the needs of fathers.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HOUSE BILL NO. 1511

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by the House Committee on Health and Human Services

on ________________)

(Patron Prior to Substitute--Delegate Feggans)

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 63.2 a section numbered
63.2-214.4
and by adding a section numbered
63.2-319.1
, relating to Fatherhood Initiative; fatherhood needs assessment.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 63.2 a section numbered
63.2-214.4
and by adding a section numbered
63.2-319.1
as follows:

§
63.2-214.4
. Fatherhood Initiative.

A. The Department shall develop and implement the Fatherhood Initiative
(the
I
nitiative)
. The
I
nitiative

should
focus on the recognition of fathers as
essential
partners in child and family well-b
e
ing, addressing a critical
gap
in family support services and promoting
positive
father involvement linked to improved maternal, child, and family outcomes
.

B. The
I
nitiative
shall
, at a minimum
,

involve the establishment of a statewide father engagement media and education campaign
.

C
. The
Department
shall
collaborate with other relevant agencies of the Commonwealth to develop and implement the
I
nitiative.

D. The Department shall implement the Initiative using existing resources and by identifying, coordinating, and highlighting existing state and federal funding sources, programs, and services that are currently available and align with the goals of the Initiative. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require new appropriations or the establishment of a separate grant program.

§
63.2-319.1
. Fatherhood
n
eeds
a
ssessment.

A. Each local board
may
ensure that it is addressing the unique needs of the fathers of children who are served by the
local
department of social services
.

B. Each local board
may
:

1. Conduct an initial assessment of its engagement with such fathers and provision of and referral to father-oriented services.

2. Create an action plan to address any gaps identified through the assessment and implement the action plan.

C. The Department
may
annually review how the local board is meeting the needs of fathers, including, at a minimum, how the local board is helping fathers establish positive, stable relationships with their children and assisting fathers in receiving needed services. The local board
may
provide any relevant information on how it is meeting the needs of these fathers to the Department.