HB2033: Health and Human Resources, Secretary of; clarifies powers to implement long-term care policy.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That § 2.2-212 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 2.2-212. Position established; agencies for which responsible; additional powers.

The position of Secretary of Health and Human Resources (the Secretary) is created. The Secretary of Health and Human Resources shall be responsible to the Governor for the following agencies: Department of Health, Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, Department of Health Professions, Department for the Aging, Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services, Department of Rehabilitative Services, Department of Social Services, Department of Medical Assistance Services, Child Day-Care Council, Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, the Office of Comprehensive Services for Youth and At-Risk Youth and Families, and the Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority. The Governor may, by executive order, assign any other state executive agency to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, or reassign any agency listed above to another Secretary.

Unless the Governor expressly reserves such power to himself, the Secretary shall (i) coordinate the work of state agencies to implement the long-term care policy of the Commonwealth serve as the lead Secretary for the coordination and implementation of the long-term care policy of the Commonwealth, working with the Secretaries of Transportation, Commerce and Trade, and Education, and the Commissioner of Insurance, to facilitate interagency service development and implementation, communication and cooperation and (ii) serve as the lead Secretary for the Comprehensive Services Act for At-Risk Youth and Families, working with the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Public Safety to facilitate interagency service development and implementation, communication and cooperation.