Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
SB 259: Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Program; established, development of modules, report.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 259 is a bill introduced in the Virginia Senate on January 12, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Program; established, development of modules, report. Primary sponsor: Bill Stanley (Republican). Most recent recorded action (February 10, 2026): Continued to next session in Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 1-N).
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.
Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Program established; pilot programs; development of modules; report. Establishes the Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Program, to be administered by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (the Department) in coordination with the Department of Education and the Department of Health, for the purpose of providing and expanding the accessibility of early childhood mental health consultation services, as that term is defined in the bill. The bill requires, pursuant to the Program, early childhood mental health consultation services shall be provided to families of children three through five years of age who exhibit developmental delays and behavioral health concerns and to early childhood care and education programs as enumerated in the bill. The bill requires the Department, in administering the Program, to (i) develop, or contract with community services boards to develop, and make available to early childhood care and education programs and providers developmental readiness modules, in accordance with the requirements of the bill; (ii) designate three pilot regions for initial implementation of the Program, with implementation beginning no later than January 1, 2027; and (iii) submit to the Governor and the General Assembly by November 1 of each year a report on the implementation and outcomes of the Program for each pilot region selected for initial implementation. The provisions of the bill relating to initial implementation of the Program in the pilot regions shall expire on July 1, 2029.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Stanley | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 7 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Continued to next session in Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 1-N)
- Reported from Education and Health with amendments and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)
- Senate committee offered
- Senate subcommittee offered
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB259)
- Assigned Education sub: Public Education
- Referred to Committee on Education and Health
- Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102173D