HB 1511 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Fatherhood Initiative; fatherhood needs assessment, etc.

Summary

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.

Bill status in committee 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Last action Feb 18, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Social Services Subcommittee Substitute → Appropriations Substitute · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was converted from a House Substitute to an Appropriations Substitute, which typically indicates a shift in legislative strategy to secure funding or align with budgetary priorities. The most significant substantive change involves softening mandatory requirements for local social services boards and the state Department, changing 'shall' to 'may' in several sections. This reduces the legal obligation for these entities to conduct assessments, create action plans, and review fatherhood initiatives.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed regarding mandatory compliance. Previously, local boards and the state Department were required to actively engage with fathers and assess their needs; now, these actions are optional.

REQUIREMENT

Changed mandatory language ('shall') to permissive language ('may') for local boards regarding the assessment of fathers' unique needs and the creation of action plans to address those needs.

Changed mandatory language ('shall') to permissive language ('may') for the state Department regarding the annual review of how local boards are meeting the needs of fathers.

Changed the mandatory language for local boards to provide information to the Department to permissive language, meaning they are no longer required to report on their efforts.

Changed the description of the Fatherhood Initiative from a directive to 'develop and implement' to a recommendation to 'should focus on', slightly reducing the mandatory nature of the initiative's specific goals.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Feb 10, 2026

How they voted

20–1

Passed

Total votes 21

Feb 10, 2026

D Democratic14

14 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican7

6 Yea 1 Nay

85% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Left in Committee Appropriations

lower

Feb 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (7-Y 0-N)

lower

Feb 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

House subcommittee offered

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Committee

Assigned HAPP sub: Health & Human Resources

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Health and Human Services with substitute and referred to Appropriations (21-Y 1-N)

lower

Feb 10, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (20-1)

house of delegates

Feb 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

House subcommittee offered

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

Assigned sub: Social Services

lower

Jan 23, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services

lower

Jan 23, 2026

Introduced

Presented and ordered printed 26105747D

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor