WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 1511

Fatherhood Initiative; fatherhood needs assessment, etc.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Michael Feggans and 1 co-sponsor

Virginia bill requiring statewide assessment of fatherhood support services and state coordination of paternal engagement programs to improve family outcomes.

Left in Committee Appropriations
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1511

Legislative bill overview

HB 1511 establishes a comprehensive fatherhood initiative in Virginia that requires a statewide needs assessment of fatherhood support services and creates a framework for coordinating programs that support paternal engagement and family stability. The bill directs relevant state agencies to evaluate current fatherhood-related services, identify gaps, and develop recommendations for improvement.

Why is this important

Research consistently links active father involvement to improved child outcomes in education, behavior, and economic mobility. By systematizing Virginia's approach to fatherhood support, the bill aims to address fragmented services and potentially reduce reliance on public assistance programs, though implementation costs and effectiveness remain to be demonstrated.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal burden: The Department of Planning and Budget's fiscal impact statement suggests resource requirements that prompted the Appropriations Committee's hesitation
  • Scope creep concerns: Critics may worry that expanding state involvement in family structure issues overreaches government authority
  • Measurement challenges: Defining success metrics for fatherhood engagement and proving causation between programs and outcomes is methodologically difficult
  • Existing service duplication: Questions about whether this duplicates work already performed by nonprofits or other state departments

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.