Thank you for referring. Please continue to keep HB52 moving forward. Clean options for disposition of remains is essential.

Comments Document

To Whom It May Concern: The attachment contains written testimony in support of HB 52 - Alkaline hydrolysis. Thank you, Lily Buerkle

Please support HB 52. Alkaline Hydrolysis is much better for the air we all breathe than fire cremation, and it still leaves remains for loved ones to claim and preserve as they wish.

HB52: Excellent, we're finally getting it. HB255: I would limit this to those people at higher risk for this. There maybe a cost for testing. Not everyone can afford that. The bills finally addressing sickle cell are long overdue. I wish that there was a registry of some sort that medical professionals can access, so that pain medications would not be so stigmatized in this disease.

I had the opportunity to address the Civil Subcommittee in person on 22 January, for which I'm grateful. Below is the rest of what I'd like to be entered into the record for HB140. This is more of a narrative as to why it has taken so many years to get to this point, without a final adoption taking place. I will try to give a short version of the criminal case, the custody case, and the wrongful death case involving Braulio Castillo. Criminal Case In March, 2014, Michelle Castillo was murdered. Her husband, Braulio Castillo, was arrested in April, 2014, and charged with first degree murder, B&E with the intent to commit murder, and violating a protective order (which had been granted in April, 2013, and upheld on appeal in Sept. 2013.) In June, 2016, Mr. Castillo was convicted on all three charges against him, and sentenced to life in prison. A final sentencing order was entered in December, 2016. In January, 2017, an appeal was filed at the Court of Appeals of Virginia. The CAV disposed of the case in June, 2019, affirming all Circuit Court decisions. In August, 2019, another appeal was filed at the Supreme Court of Virginia. This appeal was initially refused in Feb., 2020, and a rehearing was refused in August, 2020. In January, 2021, Mr. Castillo filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari with the US Supreme Court, which was denied in February, 2021. Lastly, in August, 2021, Mr. Castillo filed a petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus in Loudoun County Circuit Court. That case remains active, with little happening between August, 2022, and the present day.** The Custody Case In June, 2016, a separate trial was held in JDR Court regarding a custody case between Mr. Castillo and Loudoun County Dept. of Family Services. (The case began in 2014, but stayed until the criminal trial concluded.) This case involved the DFS decision (after Mrs. Castillo was killed) to remove the four minor children, led to the initial termination of Mr. Castillo's parental rights, and also assigned a goal of "adoption" to the foster care matter. In July, 2016, an appeal was filed in Loudoun Circuit Court. That de novo appeal did not conclude until September, 2017, with the Court ruling the removal, goal of adoption, and termination of parental rights was warranted. The custody case was appealed to CAV in September, 2017, and was disposed of in April, 2018, with all Circuit Court decisions affirmed. An appeal was then filed with the Supreme Court of Virginia, which was refused in August, 2018. In October, 2018, Loudoun DFS tried to initiate adoption proceedings for the four minor children, but the Guardian ad-Litem, and the County Attorney for Loudoun, both objected due to existing Virginia Law (it would sever the children's rights as beneficiaries). The Wrongful Death Case In March, 2016, a wrongful death action was filed by the oldest of the five children. Aside from changes in Counsel and a few motions, that suit has largely sat dormant. I'm unsure of the real reasons why, but have been told there was an agreement between the Court and the attorneys to not bring the case to trial until "all criminal appeals have been completed." ** I believe the Habeas case factors in to the "all criminal appeals" thought process, and there is no end in sight. In closing, I'd like to state for the record that we (the Meekers) are simply trying to achieve permanency as a family through adoption, not force movement in any particular Court case. HB140 enables that.

Comments Document

SwimRVA writes to endorse and support House Bill No. 354, a bill to amend and reenact § 32.1-248.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public pools; regulations. SwimRVA is the non-profit community hub for aquatics in the Richmond Region. Its mission is to change lives through aquatics with a vision to Drownproof Richmond. Since opening its doors in 2012, SwimRVA has collaborated with other organizations and facilities to serve the community and attack the devastating statistics of drowning. They have infused the community with water safety programming and education, serving thousands of youth and adults; saving lives, building a workforce, and transforming communities. Now, this collaboration must extend beyond local organizations and attack these issues on a broader scale. Over the last several years, SwimRVA and other aquatic agencies have been in repeated and open communication with the Virginia Department of Health regarding adopting minimum safety standards based primarily on the Model Aquatic Health Code. We are pleased with the outreach and the eagerness of the Department of Health to seek industry input, and support their mission to help us all promote safer aquatic environments. According to the Virginia Department of Health Agency Review published in January 2023, out of the 26 states east of the Mississippi river, only four, including Virginia, do not have statewide standards for injury and drowning prevention. The time is right for Virginia to move forward on this issue. Sincerely, Adam Kennedy Executive Director SwimRVA

Comments Document

SwimRVA writes to endorse and support House Bill No. 354, a bill to amend and reenact § 32.1-248.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public pools; regulations. SwimRVA is the non-profit community hub for aquatics in the Richmond Region. Its mission is to change lives through aquatics with a vision to Drownproof Richmond. Since opening its doors in 2012, SwimRVA has collaborated with other organizations and facilities to serve the community and attack the devastating statistics of drowning. They have infused the community with water safety programming and education, serving thousands of youth and adults; saving lives, building a workforce, and transforming communities. Now, this collaboration must extend beyond local organizations and attack these issues on a broader scale. Over the last several years, SwimRVA and other aquatic agencies have been in repeated and open communication with the Virginia Department of Health regarding adopting minimum safety standards based primarily on the Model Aquatic Health Code. We are pleased with the outreach and the eagerness of the Department of Health to seek industry input, and support their mission to help us all promote safer aquatic environments. According to the Virginia Department of Health Agency Review published in January 2023, out of the 26 states east of the Mississippi river, only four, including Virginia, do not have statewide standards for injury and drowning prevention. The time is right for Virginia to move forward on this issue. Sincerely, Adam Kennedy Executive Director SwimRVA

Comments Document

Pool and Hot Tub Alliance Support of HB354.

My name is Michael Gordon. I am a recovering addict. My clean date is 06/06/2008. I writing this letter because it my duty as a health professional to bring to the table how important it is that we change the barrier crime law. I have spent countless hours and days working with other addicts who trying to find their pathway into recovery. The frontlines are thin because the people whom society deemed unworthy because of some past mistakes cannot work in the field that they could do the greatest good. I did not know when I received my sentence in 1990 for distribution of crack cocaine. I would be serving a life time sentence. Luck for me I don’t have a barrier crime, yet today after getting my GED, going to college and graduating with honors. I still can live in certain areas or have certain jobs. I went from the crack house to the White House and still that not enough for Virginia to forgive me of my past mistakes. We need more people who has made a deep commitment to change to share their experiences with others who are suffering!!

My name is Michael Gordon. I am a recovering addict. My clean date is 06/06/2008. I writing this letter because it my duty as a health professional to bring to the table how important it is that we change the barrier crime law. I have spent countless hours and days working with other addicts who trying to find their pathway into recovery. The frontlines are thin because the people whom society deemed unworthy because of some past mistakes cannot work in the field that they could do the greatest good. I did not know when I received my sentence in 1990 for distribution of crack cocaine. I would be serving a life time sentence. Luck for me I don’t have a barrier crime, yet today after getting my GED, going to college and graduating with honors. I still can live in certain areas or have certain jobs. I went from the crack house to the White House and still that not enough for Virginia to forgive me of my past mistakes. We need more people who has made a deep commitment to change to share their experiences with others who are suffering!!

Comments Document

Attached, please find written testimony on behalf of the Pyramid Healthcare, Inc. family of companies in opposition to HB 434, which would require that any residential substance use disorder treatment facility licensed by DBHDS must prepare and record a certified discharge plan upon a patient’s discharge or withdrawal from the facility. While we provide discharge-planning services for our clients and believe this is crucial to ensuring long-term recovery, we oppose the bill as written. To be clear, discharge planning is essential to ensuring our patients are able to sustain long-term recovery. Currently, we provide discharge planning services for our clients; however, the language of the legislation duplicates existing safeguards, puts additional administrative burden on providers, and invites punishment to high-quality providers serving vulnerable patient populations. As part of our existing agreements with regulators, accreditors, and payers, we regularly undergo various audits throughout the year of our processes, procedures, and documentation for our clients, including related to discharge planning. As such, creating additional layers of administrative requirements related to discharge planning are unnecessary duplications of existing procedures.

Comments Document

Hello, My name is Deirdre Speaks Johnson. Co-founder of Ending Criminalization of HIV and Overincarceration in Virginia (ECHO VA) Coalition. I am a Black woman living with HIV for 23 years and have assisted in changing Virginia’s HIV criminalization laws in 2021. Receiving my HIV diagnosis in 2000 versus a person receiving an HIV diagnosis in 2019 is drastically different. Care and treatment services are well advanced with appropriate options to get some people living with HIV to an undetectable viral load, meaning I cannot transmit HIV to any sexual partner. In addition, the CDC has recommended that there is zero risk for an individual to transmit HIV if protective barriers are utilized or if the person has an undetectable viral load. Thus, I ask that this committee vote against HB 435. This bill will: further perpetuates stigma towards people who live with HIV (PLHIV) or hepatitis by singling out diseases that have a no to low risk of transmission. work against public health efforts for prevention, testing, treatment, and care creates undue harm to Virginians. Especially to those who are newly diagnosed or new to treatment and care for HIV and hepatitis provide further fiscal impact to the state As a birthing parent, I was informed of this law when I received my diagnosis, but after researching and learning more about HIV criminalization laws, I saw that laws like the infected sexual battery law do not exist for other communicable diseases. This is why I have made it my passion, along with countless others to stand firm on HIV NOT BEING A CRIME. And neither is living with any communicable disease. Health conditions should not be criminalized in any way shape or form. Representative Arnold, I further ask that you meaningfully and intentionally engage with individuals who will be impacted by the enactment of this law. ECHO VA welcomes a meeting with you and your office to discuss how we can work together to create a viable solution for everyone.

Comments Document

Hello, my name is Dr. Cedric Pulliam and I am the co-founder of the Ending Criminalization of HIV and Overincarceration in Virginia (ECHO VA) Coalition. In the 2021 Session Senate Bill 1138 made several changes to VA’s HIV criminalization laws, including repealing the compulsory testing statute. The statute allowed for testing in two situations: (1) Charge: A Commonwealth attorney (CA) could request HIV testing of an individual charged with sexual assault once charged with the offense. Should the individual refuse, a court with jurisdiction over the case could require testing against the individual’s consent where the court finds probable cause the individual committed the sexual assault. (2) Conviction: A CA, with the victim’s consent, could request and a court would order the individual convicted of sexual assault to undergo testing for HIV. HB 435 Allows a local attorney for the Commonwealth in the county or city in which such exposure occurred to file a petition for an order requiring testing and disclosure of test results on behalf of a law enforcement officer when a law enforcement officer is directly exposed to the bodily fluid of a person. This does not align with or abide by current CDC guidelines as the CDC states, “HIV testing should always be voluntary and adhere to ethical and human rights principles. Every decision to seek HIV testing should be based on individual practice, rather than mandated by law. The CDC, World Health Organization, and UNAIDS are all clear on this issue: HIV testing, no matter how it is delivered, must always respect the right to decline. Requiring someone to take an HIV test in custody violates their fundamental right to privacy and runs contrary to the notion of informed consent and public health. Informed consent demands the right to refuse testing without consequences or coercion. Forced HIV testing is unethical and discriminatory, exacerbates HIV-related stigma, and harms our efforts to end the HIV epidemic. Furthermore, where is the legal or medical precedent to allow a city or council official to have such authority regardless of who it is for. This is dangerous territory and opens the door to allowing city and county attorneys power that is usually at the discretion of Commonwealth attorneys. Additionally, We must be especially clear when the criminal legal system is involved. Forced HIV testing in the context of an alleged criminal offense is not performed to protect health but rather to establish a basis for prosecution and incarceration or other coercive measures. These practices reach far beyond the courtroom and contribute to the marginalization of people living with and vulnerable to HIV. Forced HIV testing is also a bad fiscal policy! We can now take the money saved by eliminating compelled HIV testing/education and put it toward public health efforts, such as expanded voluntary testing. ECHO VA Coalition deplores the members of the House Health Subcommittee and sponsors Delegate Arnold to reconsider HB435 for this legislative session. This bill is not based on public health ethical practices as it encourages mandatory testing when the federal and many of the 50 states' statewide public health authorities do not align with mandatory testing for any personnel. We strongly oppose HB435 and recommend delegates to kill this bill and ECHO VA Coalition leadership is happy to meet with Delegate Arnold to discuss the origin and a better resolution for HB435. *See attachment from CDC*

Dear, I hope this message finds you well. I represent motor-import.com, a trusted and reliable partner for individuals and businesses seeking cost-effective solutions for importing both used and new cars from around the world. We specialize in offering comprehensive services, including shipping, customs clearance, and delivery, to make global car buying a hassle-free and economical experience. Why Choose Motor-Import? Competitive Pricing: At Motor-Import, we are committed to helping our customers save money. We understand that purchasing a car locally can often come with a hefty price tag. Our services are designed to provide a cost-effective alternative, making it possible for you to acquire your dream vehicle for less. Global Network: With our extensive network of contacts and partners worldwide, we can source vehicles from a variety of locations, ensuring you have access to a wide range of options. Whether you're interested in a specific make and model or hunting for unique vehicles, we have you covered. Expertise in Customs: Navigating the complexities of international customs regulations can be a daunting task. Our experienced team specializes in customs clearance, ensuring that your vehicle is imported legally and without any unexpected delays or costs. Secure Shipping: We prioritize the safety of your investment. Our shipping solutions are designed to protect your vehicle during transit, ensuring it arrives in the same condition it left its origin. Reliable Delivery: We pride ourselves on timely and secure deliveries. You can trust us to get your car to your doorstep or preferred location promptly. Visit our website at Motor-Import Website to learn more about our services and explore the testimonials from our satisfied customers. If you have any questions or are interested in starting the process of importing your desired vehicle, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at contact@motor-import.com. Our team is ready to assist you in finding the best car import solution to suit your needs and budget. Say goodbye to overpriced local car dealerships and hello to affordable and convenient global car sourcing with Motor-Import. We look forward to helping you import your dream car at a price that's both competitive and satisfying. Best regards,

I write in opposition to HB888. Serious mental illnesses, such as Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder, are fundamentally neurocognitive in nature. Informed expert medical opinion in the field increasingly regards Serious Mental Illness (SMI) as brain disorders deserving of funding and treatment on a par with other neurocognitive and neurological disorders, such as Alzheimers Disease and 22q11 Chromosome Gene Deletion Syndrome. The most recent edition of the DSM-V classifies Schizophrenia as a neurodevelopmental disorder, not quintessentially a psychotic disorder, for diagnostic classification purposes. Schizophrenia spectrum disorders typically emerge in adolescence and early adulthood, resulting in neurocognitive deficits, estimated on average as a composite loss of 1 to 2 SDs in assessed IQ points. Psychosis may be present in acute physical illness as well. For example, Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PIC) unquestionably has a physical etiology , for example in sepsis and long COVID, yet symptoms suggestive of acute psychosis, such as hallucinations and paranoid delusions, depression, delayed emotional trauma , and neurocognitive impairment are common and chronic in nature, and often refractory to treatment. It is understandable that policy makers should seek a simple and straightforward means to limit emergency custody (ECO) and detention (TDO) patients entering the EDs of our overtaxed private and public hospitals. There is nothing simple and straightforward, however, about the causes and diagnosis of these complex neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. These cases are often difficult differential diagnoses to make in clinical practice, even by qualified and licensed mental health professionals who specialize in these areas in teaching hospitals. They certainly should not be made "int the field" by emergency workers and law enforcement officers who must make practical "life and death" decisions operating under "real world" conditions and urgencies. It is best to leave these decisions to medically trained and qualified psychiatrists in triage support with other medically qualified professionals AFTER such individuals have been 'dropped off" at a Crisis Receiving Center or the hospital Emergency Department for medical clearance and further assessment. There is a reason that most MDs doing this kind of work are board certified in Psychiatry and Neurology. Edmund W. Creekmore, Jr, Ph.D., LCP, NSSC Policy Acton Co-Chair

I am a grandma in preston county wva, CPS /GAL/Court system are inhumane and cruel. Can you imagine a child instantly alienated from a mother,father,or grandparents, Entire family, you cannot imagine till it happens to you based on the unethical practices of these entities.they should NEVER say,,,, in the childs best interest, we need help.

I am a grandma in preston county wva, CPS /GAL/Court system are inhumane and cruel. Can you imagine a child instantly alienated from a mother,father,or grandparents, Entire family, you cannot imagine till it happens to you based on the unethical practices of these entities.they should NEVER say,,,, in the childs best interest, we need help.

Please say yes to passing this bill. My family is victims. We have also involved the ombudsman center for children to help my family.

As a Father that has had to fight the CPS/DSS system and win pro-se. Virginia has a systemic problem within CPS. I was not informed my children had been taken by by CPS from their mother. I was a working Paramedic in Grayson County when CPS took my children. Me being a well respected Paramedic in the community had to take on the whole system of Judges, Attorneys, and DSS workers. it wasn't until I learned the law, and represented myself pro-se, i was finally able to beat the system . but not before the damage to my daughters had already been done by "court ordered blue haired counselors". CPS in Virginia is harming kids for profit. I can prove it to anyone that wants to listen.

I truly believe this bill being passed would shed some light on the darkness that's taking place. It's needed tremendously. My Honest opinion, there needs to be even more added to this bill, the more accountability and oversite of an agency the better. It's time for the state agencies and the judicial system actually do what's right for these babies and at all cost have safeguards and committees like this in place to stop the corruption and horrible monstrosities, that have been taken place. The real pandemic in America isn't covid 19, it's legal child trafficking done by our court systems cloaked as for the best interest of the child. When all its doing it ruining those babies lives. The goal has been and should always be reunification, anymore it seems the corruption has turned it into a money racket. I support this bill in hopes that we the people realize what's wrong within our judical systems and write these wrongs before it's to late.

Please Pass HB1168 it will help so many families in the Commonwealth

I absolutely support this bill.i have spoken to ombudsman many times,and there is not much they can do to help you.but that would change with this bill

please pass along

The Ombudsman needs more authority. Social Services, jdr judges g .a.l., and those court appointed lawyers need to understand 9 times out of 10 they are causing more harm to the child and the families when removing a child from loving Parents . And ultimately is a form of domestic abuse . Their is no ch ecks and balances . It mentions funds for f oater parents but what about the parent rights and child's right t that was violated from the beginning they do have rights to be left alone .

Please pass this.

Yes I agree passing HB1168

Please say yes to signing this bill!! My husband and I have fallen victims to the corruption of CPS as well.

Yes I agree passing HB1168

Vote no on bill 1168. Keep kids informing private.

Please pass this

My grandson was illegally adopted out based on fraudulently things that were not true. Also the opposition attorney was my daughter sis in law by marriage. My daughter got railroaded from the beginning. No investigation was done . The system failed her and her son . Social services job was not done properly!

Approve it!

My son was illegally adopted out based on fraud. My sister in law was the attorney for the opposite party . No investigation was done . No lie detector was given. Fraud and lies . They accused me of something i did not do. The grandmother had custody got pinned on me . I want my son and love my son . My case needs to be reopened

Needs to be passed

Needs to be passed

Yes please pass the bill because cps should be held Accountable for their False actions and everyone There is a second chance as a mother or father

Hello. I just met Mary Love that has made federal complaints against the exact same providers I have here in Fairfax county va. My name is Catherine Litchfield and I have one child in fostercare with Bethany reeves. I also have five children under protective custody with pps Elizabeth Allstat. These providers knowingly and willing sent me to Dr. Corbet that was under active investigation for fraud diagnosing patients. Dr Corbett is still practicing! I was referred for a second psyche eval. They know something going on, but also may very well be part of it. Many of my families right have been violated. I advocate for change and a system that operates with integrity. Fostercare is holding me back from my child u til setvices are complete with the remaining five children. Pps says they can’t force kids to do services. If you don’t know me my children summer Burrus and Connor burruss had an amber alert issued on Jan 28,2024. The system say I’m abusive but is not accountable for who they place your children with. There are physical and sexual abuse allegations with my sons foster parents. The commonwealth wants to criminally charge my 13 year old daughter for taking her four year old brother away from the sexual abuse that my son connor spoke of. The supervisor was actively texting supervision lies o me at this particular visit and ignoring connors truth. That’s when my daughter took him and ran. But for my daughter and connor to get away shows you that the supervisor at the visit is was negligient performing her duties that day and was more concerned with how to keep us entangled into the system to keep profiting of the funding that is provided for my large family. This isn’t about reunification or the family or natural parents abusing their kids. Families are being tortured and tormented for the agenda of a broken system and monetary gain! The hypocrisy!

It matters a lot.

vote yes in support of this bill

Yes! Please help keep families together and stop children from being traumatized by unnecessary separation from their parents.

Yes change it

Please pass this bill thank you

YES We the People have a Right to be heard! For it is our Right

This is something that needs to be pass to help out previous and future parents against DSS and child services to help battle corruption among the government

Yes please... pass this

I agree with this petition it is unlawful to hold people accountable for there past

I serport the hb11168 act.

This bill is long overdue. Please pass it.

I support HB1168 giving the OCO better oversight to our local departments. This is something that I find to be very important.

I am submitting this on behalf of Ms Brittany Whitworth of budsman cordoza in order to change the bill for kids returning home

I am writing to support HB1168. I am the father of children who were the point of an investigation by the OCO, and without our family even having all of the evidence the Ombudsman's office found policies that were not followed that resulted in the breaking of our constitutional rights. Even having this report and other various reports from the Commonwealth of Virginia our children are still not home. It has now been 2 years and nothing has been done, and even worse the criminal acts committed by the city and state actors involving this case have gone unpunished. The passing of HB1168 can help ensure that true justice for families is being sought in the State of Virginia and show that qualified immunity does not mean that you can break state and federal policies and in a lot of cases state and federal laws to destroy families across the Commonwealth. We absolutely need a system that protects children in the most vulnerable state, but we also need accountability for those who have taken the oath to protect these children. Ripping families apart is not in the best interest of children. In our case during the illegal kidnapping by state actors of our children, you can hear on police-worn body cameras how well loved and taken care of our children were as they were being taken from our home. Is not these systems here in place for children who are actually abused and neglected and not the ones who are so well loved? It seems highly unlikely that children who are being discussed as so well loved and cared for are at such imminent risk of danger that removal would occur. Still, when this is found to be the case, there is nowhere to turn for help. The OCO does a good job of pointing out what is not being followed, but the departments realize he does not have the authority to make them or anyone else fix the problems found. This bill would help reinstate that there are policies, laws, and federal guidelines in place for a reason and that to protect the integrity of not only families but the Commonwealth of Virginia they must be followed. There must be a way to restore justice to families like mine and the hundreds if not thousands of others who are also facing these injustices in our state. It was discovered when the news aired parts of our story locally that the department has an outdated reported system, and that there has never been a system to track Kinship Care or Alternative Living Arrangements, or as we parents who have experienced call it, shadow foster care or blackmail arrangements. The parents of the Commonwealth need a path to justice and to restore their sacred family bonds that have been broken with no regard for people. Pass HB1168 and help show that Virginia will not tolerate unintentionally or intentionally destroying families by using the process of lawless and policyless tactics. We have spent over 2 years without our children, even after proving we have not neglected or abused our children. 2 years and no help, 2 years and no end in sight, 2 years and we have no idea when or if ever we will get to see them again. A quick "custody exchange" at the hands of CPS to the malicious caller has cost us moments in time with our children we will never get back. Our Son is now 10. Our daughter was 21 months old and will be 4 years old next month. She spent 21 months with us every day of her life, to nothing. Because we were given no rights to our children Please say yes to HB1168

This house bill needs to be passed and made effective immediately. The corruption within the child welfare system being brought to light but nothing being done to correct it just continues to allow the wrong doers to be as such. Accountability without penalty nor correction in this affair will only make the government and the people a laughing stock even further to those departments. As it is now the government is seen as leaders of the human trafficking ring by not correcting the kidnappers labeled cps/dss. Is there no one courageous enough to be the shining light our kids need? Or are the decision makers just pawns in a sick game?

We need this passed on behalf of all families in virginia. Not one parent dealing with Cps and foster care get ANY DUE PROCESS. The last time I read the constitution of the United States it CLEARLY says this is a fundamental Right. So if this bill passes we will now have a way to hold people accountable for their actions and as they want parents to be accountable if we ACTIONALLY GET SOME accountable and DUE PROCESS UNDER THE LAW OF THE LAND then the change we all need just might happen.

This bill needs to be on a fast track for implementation as there is a severe oversight crisis that exists in the Child Welfare System of our State. Workforce in this state are extremely deficient with understanding of federal laws and guidelines, best practices, trauma informed practices, and unconscious bias/cultural competency. Currently there is a training academy for social workers that is being created but to see the benefit of this investment will take quite a bit of time. It is very difficult to maintain our workforce and recruit new talent for our severe workforce issues if we don’t make it a point to have accountability and oversight. No one with a license will choose to work in Virginia. It must be understood that due to our State not having Child welfare data systems that were in compliance with federal guidelines since 1996, there were bad actors that took advantage and actually purposely put families through these systems for a pecuniary benefit. Whole entire cases were offline to federal monitoring and children & families were taken advantage of, ultimately being exploited through our systems. Countless other situations of child abuse occurring as a result of internal factors such as abuse at the hands of government employees including law enforcement, vendors and foster parents were also offline to federal monitoring. I was in a meeting last year where Eric Reynolds, the Children’s Ombudsman testified to the State Board of Social Services that children were being put into the foster care system as a means to qualify fraudulently for mental health services. The parent was merely trying to get services for their child and was never told they did not have to put their child in foster care as the locality withheld that information from the parent. The parents involved in this situation are left fighting the locality in court proceedings to get their child out of the system. This can go on for years with no end in sight. There must also be a means to have a check and balance to the information obtained from the Ombudsman office. Maybe adding to this bill language that for accountability purposes these investigations (or when the Ombudsman chooses not to investigate) and subsequent findings are also reported to the general assembly. In my family’s case the Ombudsman’s Office chose not to investigate and I had to seek out justice though the federal government. I had no option to override his decision as the perpetrators were County employees and vendors.

Comments Document

It is of the utmost importance that HB1168 passes and grants these authorities to the Office of the Children's Ombudsman(OCO). Currently, the Ombudsman only has the power to look into the law-breaking and policy violations that are occurring at an extreme rate, resulting in massive violations of families' civil and constitutional rights. In Dec of 2021, The Hampton Department of Social Services(HDSS) Illegally removed our children. I was lucky to be one of the families the OCO accepted a complaint from in Jan of 2022. By July of 2022, I had a report, showing that the HDSS did not try to prevent the removal of our children, did not offer our family any services or path to have our children returned to us and never even opened a case correctly as they were supposed to. After this time and fighting over a year to get the Police Worn Cameras that proved the truth we eventually overturned the HDSS findings in a state-level hearing. The OCO proved that the department did not follow local or federal policy, which ultimately showed the violations of our Civil/Constitutional rights, the State agreed that we never neglected our children, yet our children are still not home. We are told they do not have the authority or jurisdiction to make a difference in bringing our children home. There is no accountability to this system, and the oversight currently has no authority to fix the issues they find. Leaving no relief for families who have proven that what was reported or done by these state actors was false. Passing HB1168 would help this situation and help protect not only the families from unfair practices and overreach and protect the Commonwealth from eventual further sought relief from violations of protected civil rights/liberties. My Children have been gone 773 days as I write this. When anyone sees the findings of the OCO, or the appeal results from State Level DSS, the question I am always asked is "Then why are the children not home." The passing of this bill would help solve this issue and restore families like mine throughout the commonwealth. In these 773 days I have only been "allowed" to physically see, hold, and hug my children I had never been away from twice. We have created an office of pretend oversight. And that is not speaking negatively to the OCO. I fully support his work and the level of speaking out I have seen from this office about the issues being found. Virginia needs to give this office the power they deserve to benefit the Commonwealth as a whole. HB1168 does that. My family has proved repeatedly throughout the state the unjust actions that occurred, yet have found no help, relief, or way to make our family whole again. Child removal warranted or not is a traumatic experience, I truly feel the passing of this bill, while not preventing the trauma, will help begin the healing processes for families all across Virginia that need relief at the hands of a system with no actual checks and balances. I truly hope you will see the dire need for HB1168 to pass. Thank you. I have submitted a copy of the Ombudsman report. I would have loved to submit the State Findings from the Office Of Fair Hearings but the file is too large. Thank you again for your time and please say yes to HB1168

I would like to support this bill because it would allow the office of the ombudsman to reverse wrongful decisions made by social services and return wrongfully removed children to their families. It would also help with release of the reports to the courts if the courts have been involved and wrongdoing was found to be committed. Also allowing him to petition for the courts to relook at already closed cases, it would greatly help the families who have been affected in the commonwealth and to work towards helping keep families together.