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HB 513

Overdose fatality review teams; suicide deaths of veterans and military service members.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Marty Martinez

Virginia establishes overdose fatality review teams and expands them to investigate veteran and military service member suicides, enabling systematic identification of preventable factors.

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Bill Summary · HB 513

Legislative bill overview

HB 513 establishes formal overdose fatality review teams in Virginia and expands their mandate to include suicide deaths among veterans and military service members. The bill creates a structured process for multidisciplinary teams to investigate these deaths, identify systemic gaps, and develop prevention recommendations.

Why is this important

Virginia has experienced rising rates of overdose and veteran suicide deaths, which represent significant public health crises. By conducting systematic reviews, the state can identify preventable factors, improve coordination between healthcare and social services, and target interventions more effectively to high-risk populations.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope expansion: Adding veteran suicide reviews significantly broadens the original overdose fatality review concept, potentially straining team resources and expertise
  • Privacy and family concerns: Detailed investigations into deaths may raise questions about confidentiality protections for families and information sharing across agencies
  • Implementation costs: The fiscal impact statement suggests resource requirements for staffing, training, and coordination that may compete with other health priorities
  • Effectiveness metrics: The bill's success depends on whether findings translate into actionable policy changes; insufficient follow-up could limit real-world impact

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

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