Bill in Virginia House proposes broader review team powers for overdose and suicide deaths among veterans

State Del. Marty Martinez has introduced a new bill intended to broaden the responsibilities of review teams when addressing overdose and suicide deaths among both veterans and military service members, the Virginia State House reports.

Designated HB513 during the 2026 regular session and introduced on Jan. 14, 2026, the bill is formally titled: “Suicide fatality review teams, local and regional; established, membership, penalty.”

The summary below is based on the legislation’s actual text, with clarifications included to explain various sections.

The legislation extends the scope of local and regional overdose fatality review teams, allowing them to include immediate reviews of suicide deaths by overdose among Virginia veterans and military service members. Under this proposal, the teams would be enabled to review any overdose death of a resident—including service members and veterans—while also naming local representatives from the Virginia Department of Veterans Services and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as potential team members. Operating procedures must be put in place before reviewing such incidents, and reviews are held until a criminal investigation has finished or the state gives approval. Provisions also ensure confidentiality, preserve Freedom of Information Act exemptions, and maintain current criminal and civil liability protections.

Rep. Marty Martinez (Democrat-29th District) proposed the bill, with co-sponsorship from Rep. Katrina Callsen (Democrat-54th District), Rep. Michael B. Feggans (Democrat-97th District) and two additional lawmakers.

So far in the session, Martinez has introduced 10 other bills.

Martinez received a Bachelor of Science degree from Portland State University in 1986.

Martinez, a Democrat, was elected to serve Virginia’s 29th House district in 2024, taking over from former state representative Bill Wiley.

In Virginia, the process for passing legislation starts when a bill is introduced in the House of Delegates or Senate. The bill moves to relevant committees for review and potential amendment. If approved at the committee level, it goes to the floor of each chamber for debate and voting. Both the House and Senate must pass the bill before it is sent to the governor, who may sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature. The Virginia General Assembly holds its regular session yearly beginning on the second Monday in January, during which several hundred bills may be considered, although not all become law.