We have used bingo for years to support the Nansemond River High School Baseball program to fund field enhancements and maintenance, fall uniforms, the purchase of training equipment, fund the varsity program’s spring break tournament fees and most importantly, providing scholarships for graduating baseball players . I support this bill in its amended form because it includes Youth sports. There remains an area of concern fir the charities I represent. It deal with the geographic restrictions on small organizations like ours. The bill in its current form would provide preferential treatment to charities located near bingo halls that have higher gross revenues. This would have a disproportionate impact on my charities impacting their mission. I would recommend strong consideration of this concern by either redrafting that wording or delaying the bill in favor of a study to understand the impact. Again, the money raised through charitable gaming is our lifeblood and provides opportunities for many kids that may not never have the chance otherwise.

Honorable Members of the General Assembly: Please be informed that the Virginia Hispanic Foundation (Foundation), the educational and non-profit subsidiary of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, staunchly opposes Senate Bill number 1127 as it is currently written. Virginia Hispanic Foundation has been working with Virginia Union University , under an organization known as the Virginia Hispanic African American Alliance, for over a year. This alliance was created to educate and promote in the workforce students who are considered socially and economically disadvantaged. One of the primary mechanisms we use to raise funds and support these students in their educational journey are the proceeds of charitable gaming. Charitable gaming has positively affected our student base who are disadvantaged and an important sector of our economy. The Virginia Hispanic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profits as regulated by the IRS. Further because our entity is considered private we do not enjoy the benefit of receiving funds from the Virginia Lottery. As such, charitable gaming is a mechanism of at least attempting to bridge this disparity gap which has plagued our community for many generations. Because our institution and our Hispanic community have a stake in this legislation we strongly object to being excluded from participating in the drafting of this legislation. Secondly, we oppose this legislation because, while it attempts to include our community into the equation, it does so in a very limited way, by precluding charitable gaming for our institution throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Currently the legislation as introduced allows our institution to engage in charitable gaming within the jurisdiction and adjacent jurisdictions in which our principle office is located. This is another example of the disparity placed upon our institution. The Virginia Lottery is allowed to serve the entire Commonwealth of Virginia for its public institutions of higher learning. Yet, our institution, who have students throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, are limited to a mere couple of counties. If the ABC/Gaming Subcommittee as well as the General Laws Committee believe that better control or reform of the charitable gaming should be implemented, then we support you wholeheartedly. However, it is not reform to deny a significant segment of our community, such as Hispanic Foundation, the opportunity to participate in the drafting of legislation that impacts socially and economically disadvantaged students who are a strong and vibrant voting segment our community. As such we strongly oppose this legislation as currently drafted.

Honorable Members of the General Assembly: Please be informed that Virginia Union University (Union) staunchly opposes Senate Bill number 1127 as it is currently written. Virginia Union University has been working with the Virginia Hispanic Foundation, under an organization known as the Virginia Hispanic African American Alliance for over a year. This alliance was created to educate and promote in the workforce students who are considered socially and economically disadvantaged. One of the primary mechanisms we use to raise funds and support these students in their educational journey are the proceeds of charitable gaming. Charitable gaming has positively affected our student base who are disadvantaged and an important sector of our economy. Virginia Union University is a 501(c)(3) non-profit as regulated by the IRS. Further because this entity is considered private, we do not enjoy the benefit of receiving funds from the Virginia Lottery. As such, charitable gaming is a mechanism of at least attempting to bridge this disparity gap which has plagued our community for many generations. Because our institution and our community has a stake in this legislation we strongly object to being excluded from participating in the drafting of this legislation. Secondly, we oppose this legislation because, while it attempts to include our community into the equation, it does so in a very limited way, by precluding charitable gaming for our institution throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Currently the legislation as introduced allows our institution to engage in charitable gaming within the jurisdiction and adjacent jurisdictions in which our principle office is located. This is another example of the disparity placed upon our institution. The Virginia Lottery is allowed to serve the entire Commonwealth of Virginia for its public institutions of higher learning. Yet, our institution, who has students throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia is limited to a mere couple of counties. Virginia Union University was founded in 1875 and took its present name in 1899. It has educated students from all walks of life and from the vast majority of the counties in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Union’s history in conjunction with our alliance with the Foundation demands an acknowledgement of the breath of our voter base. As such, please be placed on notice of our concern regarding this legislation. If the ABC/Gaming Subcommittee as well as the General Laws Committee believe that better control or reform of the charitable gaming should be implemented, then we support you wholeheartedly. However, it is not reform to deny a significant segment of our community, such as Union and the Foundation, the opportunity to participate in the drafting of legislation that impacts socially and economically disadvantaged students who are a strong and vibrant voting segment our community. As such we strongly oppose this legislation as currently drafted.

Bill SB1127 will kill hundreds of jobs directly in Charities all over the commonwealth, by making it impossible for charities to be able to raise any amount of funds using the charitable gaming system. Food banks will not get the resources they need, in a time when they need it most, Students will no longer be able to get scholarships, and thats just the tip of the iceberg if this thing passes. Mr Reeves, kept moving the target in his amendments, and what for may I ask ? There is no need to for this Bill, and it is purely being forced through the assembly to hurt charities for nefarious reasons in a time they need more support and help, not less. During the committee session of 1-27-2021 Mr Reeves time and again argued "facts" that had no basis in reality. He time and again misrepresented charitable gaming and the electric pull tab machines, or was completely ignorant of exactly what his bill was for and how it would work. This from a Senator is supposedly understands the system.. So what he says in committee were either bold faced obfuscation of the truth, or he is ignorant of the laws and the facts in which he is basing his Bills merits. Case in point he kept insisting the machines "paid no taxes" and "have no oversight". When the truth of the matter is the Charities get taxed based on TOTAL GROSS INCOME as a WHOLE of ALL Games. GAME MACHINES INCLUDED. Virginia Charities pay MORE Taxes per dollar than Rosies, or the Skilled Gaming machines. As for oversight. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services does have oversight and he is reworking the laws that oversees them. That is fundamentally part of SB1127. So that right there is pure obfuscation of the truth. He also should be fully aware that DAGCS gets quarterly and annual reports from the Charities and pays the audit fees ( additional taxes ) on the GROSS Sales not the NET. As he even mentioned in his comments that he talked to DAGCS when formulating this bill. Consider that Mr Reeves received the most donations from Queen of Virginia Skills & Entertainment LLC and POM of VA LLC ( Manufacturer of QoVA MACHINES ) of any assembly member, Senate or House, during the period of 2019 to 2020. $5,000 1/4/2019 $5,000 5/20/2019 $5,000 1/2/2020 $5,000 9/15/2020 Thats $20,000 from the maker and operators of the skilled gaming machines that are in convenience stores across the commonwealth, whose direct competition is of course, Charitable gaming. So why this bill ? Lets look at who benefits from killing all the mom and pop bingo halls, VFWs, FOPs, and all the small local charities that rely on this income ? Queen of Virginia LLC So lets not kill the one income stream many of these charities have. It would kill the charities and destroy the jobs of Virginians across the Commonwealth that are employed by these non-profits. This Bill should die here as it serves no purpose, other than to benefit Mr Reeves' patrons.

As both an environmental science student and a concerned citizen, I ask that you consider stopping or at least rewording SB1127 to exclude conservation organizations. As proposed, it would severely impact nonprofit organizations such as the Cave Conservancy of Virginia (CCV), whose efforts and donations go to far more than just supporting, researching, and protecting the fragile and unique karst systems in our state that provide sources of drinking water and are home to several unique and endangered species. The CCV also supports other worthy causes that the local communities depend on, including local schools, landowner support, and even recreation. Please, for the sake of all those who live, learn, and rely on these incredibly environmentally important areas, reconsider this bill and its wording.

I am a teacher and sponsor of the Karst Club - a club that exposes young people to the wonders beneath our feet in the caves and karst areas of our area. I am very concerned about SB1127 because of the funding loss to organizations like the Cave Conservancy of the Virginias who have supported people like me. CCV members have helped me on numerous educational trips underground with students and have provided the guidance and safety needed to open up whole worlds to my students. Please seek a way to allow conservation organizations like the CCV to continue their very good work in Virginia.

Senate Bill 1127 would eliminate the ability of nonprofit conservation groups to raise funds through charitable bingo operations, something that has been legal and well-regulated in Virginia for many years. I am on the board of one such organization, the Cave Conservancy of the Virginias, but I am writing today not on their behalf, but as private citizen and longtime Virginia caver deeply concerned about cave and karst conservation in the Commonwealth. Please consider defeating this bill, or amending it to allow conservation organizations continued access to this vital funding source (perhaps using language similar to the provisions that reference volunteer fire departments and sports organizations). Organizations like CCV have provided critical support for local karst research and conservation efforts throughout the state. In particular, CCV has awarded over $1 million in grants since 1980, and has worked closely with state agencies including the Virginia Cave Board and Department of Conservation and Recreation.

I have had the rare privilege of working with several charitable non- profit 501-C3 conservation organizations over the last 40 years. I have had first hand knowledge of all the incredible work that these organization do for our State.. It is absolutely inconceivable to me that anyone would even consider sponsoring a bill that has eliminated the ability for conservation groups to participate in charitable gaming to raise funds. The state of Virginia does not have enough funds in their current budget to even come close to filling the void that would be created by such a drastic measure.. Most of our conservation groups here in Virginia have worked closely with local and State government to help protect some of our most important resources. Virginia is one of the most diverse and beautiful places on this planet earth and it takes a lot to keep it that way. Let’s not do anything that will mess it up by passing a bill like this. I hope it was just an oversight by someone who just forgot to include conservation organizations when they wrote this bill.

As worded, Senate Bill 1127 would eliminate the ability for not-for-profit conservation organizations to raise funds through charitable gaming (Bingo). In my experience, Bingo games are already highly-regulated and tightly-run. Charitable gaming raises irreplaceable funding to support rural and low-income communities in the form of grants to restore and conserve natural resources, such as rivers, vistas, wildlife habitat, and caves, as well as public awareness, education, and engagement of our youth. Without charitable gaming, most of these grass-roots level 501(c)3 organizations will suddenly be unable to fulfill their missions. Please table or defeat this bill to ensure that conservation charities can continue to generate funds to support community-based projects that improve the natural wealth of our Commons!

SB1127 - excludes many 501(c) organizations that depend or could depend on charitable gaming as a funding means. I am specifically concern about conservation groups but on the reading one can imagine many omitted categories and then I am sure there are more. Leave the current program alone. It has been worked through for years and seems to be working well. thank you for your service, Charles Maus

The Arlington Chamber of Commerce supports SB 1197, a bill to create a Virginia Housing Opportunity Tax Credit. Addressing our housing affordability challenges will require a multi-faceted approach. The Chamber supports both efforts to increase the supply of housing and efforts to ensure access to safe and affordable housing options for our most vulnerable Virginians. The Virginia Housing Opportunity Tax Credit will supplement the Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to attract more private investment into affordable homebuilding in the Commonwealth. We expect that this credit will be a strong investment in our Commonwealth through its investment in housing. We thus encourage the committee to report the bill.

VCN and our 150+ partner organizations are in favor.

The Virginia First Cities Coalition and the City of Richmond requests and supports General Assembly actions to provide local governments with all possible tools to deal with the impacts of a market that, on the one hand, is vibrant, and on the other is driving home prices upward to the point of being unaffordable for a vast majority of residents. Our Virginia First Cities need to increase the supply of affordable housing. The Commonwealth can encourage this by providing local governments additional sources for financing and encouraging all possible resources to leverage federal dollars to the benefit of affordable workforce and senior housing. Any and all tools to encourage private developers and non-profits to develop, construct and/or rehabilitate housing that is affordable should be incentivized by the state. This includes specific support for the enactment of a state tax credit program that will work in tandem with the federal Low Income Tax Credit (LITC) program and is specifically for affordable housing.

ChamberRVA fully supports this bill. A state tax credit would provide a critical component for financing low-income housing projects, which are so badly needed in our region and throughout the state.

Chairwoman Watts and Members of the Committee, the VBA strongly supports Senator Locke's SB 1197. The creation of a Virginia state level affordable housing tax credit compliments and builds on the existing successful federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. This program will enable another crucial tool, along with existing programs such as the Housing Trust Fund, historic rehabilitation tax credit and other public and private sector efforts. The federal LIHTC program has incentivized the development and creation of affordable housing stock in Virginia, but the need remains acute for further development. Banks are committed partners in addressing this gap, working with borrowers to incorporate the tax credits into their financing as well as direct and syndicated beneficiaries of the credits as investments. We appreciate the inclusion of the bank franchise tax in this proposal. Mirroring the LIHTC program to the greatest extent possible is critical to ensuring ease of use and clarity and consistency in assembling the best financing plan for these projects. Virginia Housing is well positioned to administer the program and allocate the credits to meet the key needs of the Commonwealth. For those reasons, we support the bill as another important component of addressing the considerable and urgent need for affordable housing in Virginia. We were disappointed Delegate Bourne's HB 2050 did not advance and encourage you reconsider embracing this proposal this session.

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More than a decade ago, the General Assembly put in place a support cap which severely limited the level of support staff the state funded. As a result, since 2009, there has been a 39% drop in state funding for support staff in schools. Despite student enrollment increasing by 55,000 students, support staff in the state has dropped by nearly 2,000 positions. On top of that, the declines were four times greater in divisions with the highest share of students of color. This amended bill puts us on a path to begin correcting for these inequitable cuts put in place a decade ago, and comes at a time when students will need these support services more than ever. We know from extensive surveys that students are experiencing unprecedented mental health challenges at this time, and addressing their accumulated trauma over the years to come is a key part of getting them back on track. Additional social workers, psychologists, nurses, licensed behavior analysts, and other licensed health and behavioral positions funded through this bill will be critical for attending to students’ health and emotional needs and setting them up to reach their potential in the classroom. The Commonwealth Institute and the other 16 member organizations of the Fund Our Schools coalition fully support this legislation.

The Legal Aid Justice Center supports this bill, which will set standards for specialized support staff in public schools and direct state funds for these positions. Support staff such as school pyschologists, nurses, and social workers are more critical than ever to address the needs of students during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please support SB1303 in lieu of substitution bill. Schools have been closed long enough and need a clear plan to re-open. Many will not do this on their own until they are required to by law. Legislate required opening of face to face will get the ball rolling with re-opening plans from all schools. Put Virginia children's needs at the table with teacher unions. Do schools exist to provide comfortable jobs for teachers, or DO THEY EXIST TO EDUCATE CHILDREN? The answer is clear, educating children is the reason for schools, and it is not happening adequately in the virtual format.

Please support our students by ration of 3 support staff to every 1,000 students in every support staff positions: social workers, psychologists, nurses, licensed behavior analysts and assistants, and other licensed health and behavioral positions.

Virginia First Cities (VFC) Supports SB1257 that funds the Standards of Quality. VFC believes funding required to fund this bill is of the highest priority, especially in areas that provide additional assistance to challenged schools. VFC also strongly supports efforts that provide training and mentoring for school principals.

As a retired CCPS school psychologist I remember when the media talked about Columbine or later Virginia Tech disasters, it was poor John Q Public. How could we know about these things? Research now show that there are always signs and symptoms if there is someone present to notice! There is also a myth that students won’t tell us but I can tell you that is not true. Students want to help themselves and their friends if given the opportunity and skills to talk about mental health issues. It is no longer acceptable to say sorry after the fact. It is time to do something. Prevention and intervention need to occur in the buildings where the students reside . Services in schools give us the best opportunities to hear what students need (like how to help a friend and community resources). I am writing to support Senate Bill1257 because I know what the unmet needs have been for years And those needs are now exeracerbated by the COVID crisis, political unrest, and economic insecurity. Intervention does work and can prevent acts of violence against others as well as suicide. Most serious mental health issues develop in mid to late adolescence and early services can support families. Milder problems can be helped by giving students stress management skills. Earlier intervention is also cheaper since expense is always a concern.

Please pass SB 1257 to ensure 3 positions to every 1,000 students for support staff positions. It is vital to create additional positions to support students, especially in light of the pandemic and its consequences for students. Please ensure that students are supported when they return to school.

Voices for Virginia’s Children supports equitable education funding for all students to succeed. Support position are critical to ensure children’s well-being is supported inside and outside the classroom. They help promote trauma-informed and trauma-responsive school settings and can help identify and address challenges children are experiencing that create barriers to learning. Please support SB 1257 and the Senate’s approach to providing additional specialized support positions for the next school year.

My name is Anne Forrester and I am an ESL teacher in Richmond. I am urging in the strongest possible terms that you support HB1257 which would provide critically needed social, emotional and mental health support staff to serve Virginia's students. I can tell you first hand that although policy makers usually talk about "learning loss" , the social, emotional and mental toll of the pandemic on our students is by far the most urgent issue. The support staff ratio provided in this bill is imperative to allowing students to heal from the experience of living through this past year and then move on to learning.

I support HB1257. Now more than ever before, our students need these positions funded and ratios of 3 positions to every 1,000 students should be maintained for social workers, psychologists, nurses, licensed behavior analysts and assistants, and other licensed health and behavioral positions. Accumulated trauma and mental health issues for students have been magnified as a result of the pandemic, and these positions, which the state has been underfunding for more than a decade now, are critical to helping to address those challenges and ensure students are supported in their return to school. Please support HB1257.

Please support SB1303 in lieu of substitution bill. Schools have been closed long enough and need a clear plan to re-open. Many will not do this on their own until they are required to by law. Legislate required opening of face to face will get the ball rolling with re-opening plans from all schools. Put Virginia children's needs at the table with teacher unions. Do schools exist to provide comfortable jobs for teachers, or DO THEY EXIST TO EDUCATE CHILDREN? The answer is clear, educating children is the reason for schools, and it is not happening adequately in the virtual format.

Yes we need to get our kids back in school dull time it's been way to long now the kids are hurting more ways then one please pass the bills and get our kids back in school asap

Thank you Madam Chair and members of the committee! My name is Mike Asip and I am speaking on behalf of the Virginia Council of Administrators of Special Education (VCASE), including over 400 members who directly supervise the services for more than 165,000 Virginia students with disabilities. VCASE supports many of the JLARC recommendations, but hopes that some of the recommendations as expressed in SB1288 can further be considered for revision and/or clarification before becoming law. VCASE has shared some of these concerns in writing with Sen. Dunnavant. That is why VCASE supports HB2299 moving forward as the leading bill addressing JLARC recommendations. We look forward to continuing our work with the General Assembly and the Department of Education in addressing many of the JLARC recommendations that can have a positive impact on students with disabilities and their families. I join other local special education leaders across the Commonwealth of Virginia who strongly support the following as JLARC recommendations are considered: * Increased funding directly to localities to provide personnel and other resources needed to address greater monitoring and accountability. The JLARC recommendations have not comprehensively addressed the unbalanced local responsibility for funding special education services. The Commonwealth should increase its investment in the education of students with disabilities through greater funding to localities. We had hoped the General Assembly could pass House Budget Amendment 145 #31h (thank you Del. Guzman!) that would provide $3.96 million directly to localities in this effort. * Comprehensive planning and resources to address the special education teacher and staff shortages, which play a large role in inconsistencies of IEP development and quality. * Required training and licensure requirements for general education teachers and school administrators regarding IEP development; inclusive teaching practices; and their roles in the IEP development process. Thank you for your service to our citizens and your vote to conform SB1288 to HB2299! Dr. Mike Asip

Thank you, Chairman and members of the House Education SOL and SOQ Subcommittee. I am speaking on behalf of the Virginia Council of Administrators of Special Education (VCASE), I am writing you ask that you vote to conform SB1288 (Sen. Dunnavant) to HB2299, sponsored by Del. Carr. HB2299 is the preferred bill as the General Assembly addresses several of the 27 JLARC recommendations moving forward. VCASE supports many of the JLARC recommendations, but hopes that some of the recommendations as expressed in SB1288 can further be considered for revision and/or clarification before becoming law. VCASE has shared some of these concerns in writing with Sen. Dunnavant. That is why VCASE supports HB2299 moving forward as the leading bill addressing JLARC recommendations. This is a comprehensive bill addressing JLARC recommendations. We look forward to continuing our work with the General Assembly and the Department of Education in addressing many of the JLARC recommendations that can have a positive impact on students with disabilities and their families. I join other local special education leaders across the Commonwealth of Virginia who strongly support the following as JLARC recommendations are considered: * Increased funding directly to localities to provide personnel and other resources needed to address greater monitoring and accountability. The JLARC recommendations have not comprehensively addressed the unbalanced local responsibility for funding special education services. * Comprehensive planning and resources to address the special education teacher and staff shortages, which play a large role in inconsistencies of IEP development and quality. * Required training and licensure requirements for general education teachers and school administrators regarding IEP development; inclusive teaching practices; and their roles in the IEP development process. Thank you for your time!

We school bus drivers need this training

RE: SB 1302, Crisis Call Center Fund Dear Chair Sickles and Members of the Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee: I am writing on behalf of Inseparable, a growing coalition of people from across the country who share a common goal to fundamentally improve mental healthcare policy to heal ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities. This year, as the recovery from the COVID pandemic begins, America cannot afford to let mental health care fall further behind. Because of the dramatic increase in mental health crises, it has never been more important to invest in mental health and addiction care policy and services. We applaud Senator McPike for introducing SB1302. The success of the new mental health emergency hotline (988) is dependent on a timely and well-resourced nationwide rollout. Key to this is securing expanded and sustainable funds for not only crisis centers, but also for the mental health workforce that will deal with expected increase in demand and provide follow-on services. Like other mental health advocacy groups in the state and nationally, we are concerned that the current $0.12 fee in the bill is not sufficient to cover vital costs. We ask you to please urgently revisit the financial costs that will be generated by the establishment of the hotline and revise the fee amount on the bill. While we appreciate that there are plans to make increases in the future, Virginians are suffering today and need adequate support now. Sincerely, Krithika Harish Inseparable.us

February 11, 2021 Delegate Mark D. Sickles, Chair HWI Committee Virginia General Assembly RE: SB 1302, Crisis Call Center Fund Dear Chair Sickles and Members of the Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee: NAMI Virginia is part of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Our mission is to promote recovery and improve the quality of life of Virginians with mental illness through support, education and advocacy. We would like to express our gratitude to Senator McPike for introducing SB 1302, the Crisis Call Center Fund, and to the Committee for hearing this bill today. NAMI supports the vision outlined in the bill, but we believe the bill should be strengthened by small changes, which we believe are critical to meeting the needs of Virginians with serious mental illness. NAMI’s members frequently come to us in need of help and support after enduring life-shattering circumstances. Too often, those circumstances include law enforcement. I’d like to share two brief examples to highlight the pain of inadequate investment in a mental health crisis service system. Recently, a Virginia man reached out to NAMI, distraught. His sibling had been saying things that didn’t make sense and was increasingly paranoid and lashing out, sensing threats where none existed. After an altercation with his partner, who called 911, police came and arrested the man, who was experiencing psychosis and had a family history of serious mental illness. With his family’s advocacy, this man was eventually given a mental health examination. The man and his family were traumatized by the police intervention and the daunting and stigmatizing challenges of navigating the criminal justice system. If they had been able to call 988 and receive a mobile crisis team response instead of police, there would have been no arrest, no criminal record and legal fees, and far less trauma for this Virginia family. Instead, the family’s sole focus could have been on helping this man get the care that he needed – not navigating the criminal justice system. In another instance, a person with bipolar disorder became manic and confused and tried to leave the state. When the family called for help, police arrested their child and held him in jail. Desperate, the family spent heartbreaking hours and significant resources trying to obtain not only legal help, but mental health treatment for their beloved child. Despite their resources, they were unable to navigate an incomprehensible system that criminalizes people with serious mental illness. There are countless families in Virginia whose lives have been turned upside down because of the lack of a sufficient behavioral health crisis system in Virginia. While we appreciate that there are plans to gradually improve this, the slow pace of investment does not do justice to the lives of Virginians who are suffering today and who deserve an investment of more than $0.12 a month. We respectfully request that you reconsider the level of E-911 fee for the Crisis Call Center Fund, clarify that it can be used to support mobile crisis teams, and further clarify that the annual report should include not only recommendations on crisis system needs, but also a recommendation on fee levels needed in the future to support the level of mobile response needed for the complex and acute mental health needs in our communities throughout Virginia. Respectfully, Kathy Harkey, MAPP, BSP, BSMDS Executive Director

Although I am supportive of the National 9-8-8 Crisis Line, I am very concerned about linking the 9-1-1 and 9-8-8 funding. By linking the two, the National VDOT 9-1-1 Coordinator and FCC have ruled that Virginia would be considered as diverting 9-1-1 funds. Additionally, the 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) are not adequately funded. Currently the 9-1-1 Wireless Distribution, offsets an average of 12% of a PSAP's operating costs, and this is before the increases from moving to Next Generation Technology. I urge you to de-couple this Bill from 9-1-1. There will be significant value if 9-8-8 has a separate funding stream and separate visibility on carriers bills. Additionally, line 289 and 290 of the Senate Substitute Bill assigns in-house building repeaters as the number 2 priority. Although again while this important, it is restrictive and not the number 2 priority for 911 PSAPs. This should be removed, or at a minimum changed to "investments to improve location accuracy". I would like to speak, but I am receiving a message that requests to speak are closed. I have also reached out to Senator McPike, but have not been successful in getting a return call. I know others have submitted written comments on the Bill as well.

Delegate Mark D. Sickles, Chair Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee RE: SB 1302, Crisis Call Center Fund Dear Chair Sickles and Members of the Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee: NAMI Virginia is part of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Our mission is to promote recovery and improve the quality of life of Virginians with mental illness through support, education and advocacy. We would like to express our gratitude to Senator McPike for introducing SB 1302, the Crisis Call Center Fund, and to the Committee for hearing this bill today. NAMI supports the vision outlined in the bill, but we believe the bill should be strengthened by small changes, which we believe are critical to meeting the needs of Virginians with serious mental illness. NAMI’s members frequently come to us in need of help and support after enduring life-shattering circumstances. Too often, those circumstances include law enforcement. I’d like to share two brief examples to highlight the pain of inadequate investment in a mental health crisis service system. Recently, a Virginia man reached out to NAMI, distraught. His sibling had been saying things that didn’t make sense and was increasingly paranoid and lashing out, sensing threats where none existed. After an altercation with his partner, who called 911, police came and arrested the man, who was experiencing psychosis and had a family history of serious mental illness. With his family’s advocacy, this man was eventually given a mental health examination. The man and his family were traumatized by the police intervention and the daunting and stigmatizing challenges of navigating the criminal justice system. If they had been able to call 988 and receive a mobile crisis team response instead of police, there would have been no arrest, no criminal record and legal fees, and far less trauma for this Virginia family. Instead, the family’s sole focus could have been on helping this man get the care that he needed–not navigating the criminal justice system. In another instance, a person with bipolar disorder became manic and confused and tried to leave the state. When the family called for help, police arrested their child and held him in jail. Desperate, the family spent heartbreaking hours and significant resources trying to obtain not only legal help, but mental health treatment for their beloved child. Despite their resources, they were unable to navigate an incomprehensible system that criminalizes people with serious mental illness. There are countless families in Virginia whose lives have been turned upside down because of the lack of a sufficient behavioral health crisis system in Virginia. While we appreciate that there are plans to gradually improve this, the slow pace of investment does not do justice to the lives of Virginians who are suffering today and who deserve an investment of more than $0.12 a month. We respectfully request that you reconsider the level of E-911 fees for the Crisis Call Center Fund, clarify that it can be used to support mobile crisis teams, and further clarify that the annual report should include not only recommendations on crisis system needs, but also a recommendation on fee levels needed in the future to support the level of mobile response needed for the complex, acute mental health needs in our Virginia communities. Respectfully yours, Kathy Harkey, MAPP, BSP, BSMDS Executive Director

Available to answer questions that the committee may have

On behalf of the Virginia adoption community - passing this bill is greatly needed. As an adoption practitioner 32+ years, past- president, long-time Fellow and Board of Trustee of the Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys & co-author of the VA CLE Adoption Book - we need this law passed to support the legal stability of children in VA. There are so many situations I encounter on a monthly and even weekly basis - a mom co-parenting with an opioid addicted daughter and a deceased biological father, two foster parents not married and not in a romantic relationship co-parenting a child in need of a forever home with both of those parents, a former ex-boyfriend who helped co-parent for ten or more years with the ex-girlfriend still wanting him to be a recognized parent and a deceased biological father. There are so many more examples where kids just need both de facto - that is, in fact, parents made their legal parents but cannot do so under current VA law that requires they be a married couple. That is not the current reality for many children today. We need to bring Va law in line with the current reality of today’s kids and how they are being co-parented in many non-traditional ways - especially with the opioid crisis. This law is very much needed to protect today’s children. Those of us in the trenches can see this most clearly. Thank you.

When two loving parents raise a child they take on a moral and legal responsibility, but unfortunately our current legal system doesn't recognize a second parent and grant them the legal rights they deserve after accepting responsibility of raising the child because they are not of a different sex/gender than the legal parent. This needs to cease for the child's protection and for our community. We need not only to accept everyone to respect them for the roles they fill and give them the legal support they may need! Dani Butler 5800 Up A Way Drive Fredericksburg, VA 22407

I am writing in support of SB1321, in favor of allowing confirmatory adoption in Virginia. I am not personally impacted by this bill, but many in my community are. Children need the security that legally recognized parents can provide, and their lives are made more difficult when barriers exist that keep their parents from advocating on their behalf. I know this all too well, because I know what these barriers have meant for my own children at a different time and place. My young children had very good relations with both me and my spouse prior to, during, and after our divorce. However, a new magistrate who claimed she was "ordained by God to save the children" separated me from my children for the stated reason that I had advocated for marriage equality. She did this by declaring that she would not respect or enforce our shared parenting agreement and threatening to hold me in contempt if I complained, resulting in my ex refusing joint custody/visitation thereafter. I did not see my children again until they were adults. Even though I was a legal parent with full parental rights, these rights were not observed or respected in matters of education, healthcare, mental health, or faith. Eventually I was locked out of all communication and could obtain no further information about my children. I have since reconnected with both of my children as adults. Both suffered extreme psychological abuse, mental anguish and emotional harm because of our loss of contact. I was unavailable to protect them. Precious educational opportunities were also squandered (a full scholarship to a prestigious private school, admission privileges to my prestigious undergraduate university and financial aid at universities where I taught) because of my being blocked from advocating for them. They even suffered needless financial losses because of my inability to manage their educational accounts at particularly critical times. Children need security, and they need their parents, whether they are straight, gay, purple, or polka-dotted. Please give Virginia families the tools they need to ensure continuity of parenting so that that their children do not suffer as mine did. Please support SB1321.

This Bill is about equal rights!!! Different-sex couples are not forced to marry for both parents to have legal rights and responsibilities over their children, and same-sex couples shouldn’t be either. This bill simply extends the legal rights and responsibilities of parenthood to unmarried same-sex couples as well. Thank you for your work and dedication to represent all people in equality.

Only speak if needed. Legislative staff to the Commission on Youth.

Voices for Virginia’s children strongly supports this bill.

Please support SB1303 in lieu of substitution bill. Schools have been closed long enough and need a clear plan to re-open. Many will not do this on their own until they are required to by law. Legislate required opening of face to face will get the ball rolling with re-opening plans from all schools. Put Virginia children's needs at the table with teacher unions. Do schools exist to provide comfortable jobs for teachers, or DO THEY EXIST TO EDUCATE CHILDREN? The answer is clear, educating children is the reason for schools, and it is not happening adequately in the virtual format.

Yes we need to get our kids back in school dull time it's been way to long now the kids are hurting more ways then one please pass the bills and get our kids back in school asap

Im a student from floyd i hate online school because it is harder and i dont get to see a lot of my other friends.Its been hard and i hope this all ends so we can see all of our friends again and for things to go back to normall again.