Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 578: Foster care; federal benefits, representative payees.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 578 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 13, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Foster care; federal benefits, representative payees. Primary sponsor: Jackie Glass (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (February 18, 2026): Left in Committee Appropriations.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Foster care; federal benefits; representative payees. Requires local departments of social services to screen any child in foster care for eligibility for certain federal benefits and to apply for such benefits for which the child may be eligible. Under the bill, local departments are required to review existing representative payees to ensure that the representative payee is adequately representing the child's best interests and take appropriate actions necessary to appoint a different representative payee if necessary. The bill specifies that a local department shall only serve as representative payee when no other suitable candidate is available. The bill places limitations on the use of such federal benefits by local departments. Under the bill, if the local department serves as representative payee, it is required to provide an annual accounting detailing the use of such benefits to the child and certain individuals. The bill requires the Department of Social Services to develop and provide training sessions for (i) representative payees serving children in foster care regarding fiduciary obligations associated with serving as a representative payee and (ii) children in foster care who are age 14 and older regarding accessing, managing, and using certain federal benefits.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackie Glass | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 93 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Left in Committee Appropriations
- Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (7-Y 0-N)
- Assigned HAPP sub: Health & Human Resources
- Reported from Health and Human Services and referred to Appropriations (21-Y 1-N)
- Subcommittee recommends reporting and referring to Appropriations (8-Y 0-N)
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB578)
- Assigned sub: Social Services
- Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services
- Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103251D