Session Update!

January 24, 2025

At the end of the second week we have some good news and some bad news: 

• Good news first – our bill to require Medicaid to develop the program to allow (in certain circumstances) providers to be paid for the time DSPs  support an individual while they are in the hospital passed out of sub-committee yesterday on a unanimous vote.  First step, but always the most important one!  Thanks to Delegate Betsy Carr for her support and work on this issue.
• Now the bad news – along with many other groups (from the Va Hospital and Health Care Association to the Chamber of Commerce) we oppose the efforts to add a section to the Code which speaks to the “liability of the employer for personal injury or death by wrongful act” of an employee.  While there have been multiple amendments/redrafts, the bills in the House and Senate still:
  
  • would include virtually all VNPP Members as we exist to provide services for individuals who would meet the definition of “vulnerable victim,”
  • would substantially increase the liability in any instance of a civil suit for an act of an employee (regardless of the rigorous hiring practices we all follow) , and 
  • could potentially make getting liability insurance either very difficult, very expensive or both! 
  • We are working with others to mitigate the potential damage – if you have an opportunity to mention either HB1730 or SB894 to your member of the General Assembly as potentially devastating – please do so!