Bill Text: VA HB1320 | 2020 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Demographic statements for bills; preparation by JLARC.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-11 - Left in Rules [HB1320 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-HB1320-Prefiled.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §30-58.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 30-19.1:4.1 as follows:
§30-19.1:4.1. Demographic statement for bills.
A. As used in this section:
"Demographic statement" means a statement that uses available data to outline the potential effects of a bill on disparities within the Commonwealth, including a statement of whether the bill is likely to increase or decrease disparities.
"Disparities" means the difference in economic, employment, health, education, or public safety outcomes between the state population as a whole and subgroups of the population defined by socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, geography, or any other relevant characteristic for which data is available.
B. Beginning October 1, 2020, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) shall prepare demographic statements at the request of the Speaker of the House of Delegates, the Minority Leader of the House of Delegates, the Majority Leader of the Senate, and the Minority Leader of the Senate. Each eligible requester may request the preparation of a demographic statement for up to five bills per regular session of the General Assembly, or more at the discretion of the Director of JLARC. Demographic statements requested during special sessions of the General Assembly may be prepared at the discretion of the Director of JLARC.
The Director or staff of JLARC may meet with the requester of a demographic statement and the patron of the bill for which the demographic statement is requested to discuss whether a demographic statement can practically be completed for the bill. If not, the requester may request a demographic statement on a different bill.
C. No later than September 1, 2020, the Director of JLARC, in conjunction with the Director of the Division of Legislative Services, shall develop the procedures for requesting, completing, and updating the demographic statement. All local and state agencies and entities shall cooperate with and provide information for a demographic statement upon request by the staff of JLARC.
D. Every demographic statement completed for a bill shall be transmitted to the patron of the bill and to the requester of the demographic statement. If the bill for which the demographic statement is prepared is introduced, the demographic statement shall be submitted to the Clerk of the House of Delegates and the Clerk of the Senate and shall be made available to the public.
§30-58.1. Powers and duties of Commission.
The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
1. Make performance reviews of operations of state agencies to ascertain that sums appropriated have been, or are being expended for the purposes for which such appropriations were made and to evaluate the effectiveness of programs in accomplishing legislative intent;
2. Study on a continuing basis the operations, practices and duties of state agencies, as they relate to efficiency in the utilization of space, personnel, equipment and facilities;
3. Make such special studies and reports of the operations and functions of state agencies as it deems appropriate and as may be requested by the General Assembly;
4. Assess, analyze, and evaluate the social and economic costs
and benefits of any proposed mandated health insurance benefit or mandated
provider that is not included in the essential health benefits required by
federal law to be provided under a health care plan, including the mandate's
predicted effect on health care coverage premiums and related costs, net costs
or savings to the health care system, and other relevant issues, and report its
findings with respect to the proposed mandate to the Health Insurance Reform
Commission; and
5. Make such reports on its findings and recommendations at such time and in such manner as the Commission deems proper submitting same to the agencies concerned, to the Governor and to the General Assembly. Such reports as are submitted shall relate to the following matters:
a. Ways in which the agencies may operate more economically and efficiently;
b. Ways in which agencies can provide better services to the Commonwealth and to the people; and
c. Areas in which functions of state agencies are duplicative, overlapping, or failing to accomplish legislative objectives or for any other reason should be redefined or redistributed; and
6. Prepare demographic statements pursuant to §30-19.1:4.1.
