From today’s press release from sponsor Delegate Josh Thomas:

Richmond, VA - Today, the Virginia General Assembly passed Delegate Josh Thomas’s HB1188 and Senator Lamont Bagby’s SB447, which will establish the nation’s first permanent state-level Boys and Men Advisory Commission. This commission will study and provide legislative recommendations to the General Assembly on issues related to boys and men in the Commonwealth, including education inequity, economic opportunities, disparity in health outcomes, family life, and the impact of social media use. Passing the House by a strong bipartisan 91-6 vote margin, the bill is headed to Governor Spanberger for signature.

Unfortunately, the problems faced by Virginia’s men and boys continue to grow. Virginia lags the nation as the worst state for literacy disparity between 4th grade boys and girls. Further, men accounted for 80% of suicides in Virginia last year. Given the urgency of these issues, the commission will produce its first legislative report in October of this year. The bills’ chief co-patrons are Senator Lashrecse Aird, Delegate Michael Feggans, Delegate Nicole Cole, Delegate Michael Webert, and Delegate Jason Ballard.

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Delegate Josh Thomas (D-Prince William) issued the following statement:

“Young men are in crisis, and with this vote today, we can finally tell them that Virginia is here to help. Boys are falling behind as early as elementary school, and that disparity in educational, health, and economic outcomes is continuing into adulthood. I’m proud that my fellow legislators recognized that this problem requires long-term, evidence-based solutions. I look forward to seeing Governor Spanberger sign this bill so that we can move past studies and start making real change.”

Delegate Michael Feggans (D-Virginia Beach) issued the following statement:

“The passage of HB1188 in the House today is a major win for our communities, giving the Commonwealth the research-driven insight needed to expand opportunity, close gaps, and build a stronger future for boys and men across Virginia.”

Delegate Nicole Cole (D-Spotsylvania) issued the following statement:

“As a mom of 3 young men and an opportunity advocate, I’m excited for this Commission to focus attention on addressing opportunity gaps and needs of boys and men to be successful and empathetic members and leaders in our communities.”

Delegate Michael Webert (R-Fauquier) issued the following statement:

“This bill is the Commonwealth’s acknowledgment that the burdens men and boys have long carried in silence need not break them, and that the Commonwealth recognizes the need for support.”

Delegate Jason Ballard (R-Giles) issued the following statement:

“I am pleased that this effort to ensure that boys and men have the support they need to grow into healthy, responsible adults passed the House of Delegates today in a highly bi-partisan manner.”

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In this issue:

• Virginia’s Boys and Men Advisory Commission update

• Center for the Study of Boys gathers Richmond boys/men leaders

• Choros: App for male friendship (Alexandria founded)

• Dads for All: Community building for dads (Fairfax based)

• Masculinity researcher seeks VA participants

• National updates — good news! — re: men’s issues

Legislation to establish a Virginia Boys and Men Advisory Commission is one of a host of bills in the crosshairs of a House–Senate budget standoff despite sailing through committee and floor votes with little opposition. Final vote is expected within the next week or so.

Reminder of the impact of this legislation:

Virginia’s Boys and Men Advisory Commission could be the country’s first such body that is permanent, written into state code, and independent of the governor.

HB1188 enjoys bipartisan support, including an endorsement from House Speaker Don Scott, while its companion bill SB447 is sponsored by state Democratic Party chair Sen. Lamont Bagby. HB447 is co-sponsored by Sen. Lashrecse D. Aird (D-Petersburg) while HB1188 co-sponsors are:

• Del. Jason S. Ballard (R-Giles County)

• Del. Nicole Cole (D-Henrico County)

• Del. Michael B. Feggans (D-Virginia Beach)

• Del. Michael J. Webert (R-Fauquier County)

• Del. Jackie H. Glass (D-Norfolk)

Lead sponsor Del. Josh Thomas (D-Prince William) was the subject of a well-deserved Virginia Public Media profile (audio and written):

Virginia stands to be a national and even global leader in men/boys policy, programs and research on a critical issues that affects its whole population — let’s hope the general assembly sees the opportunity and passes HB1188!

Virginia is already being looked to as a national leader on boys and men’s issues. Next week I will be speaking to an organization in the United Kingdom about male-specific policy reform and have been invited to consult with several national organizations on how to attract and retain men and boys.

The following are some of the cool men/boys activities in the Commonwealth:

Center for the Study of Boys gathers Richmond boys/men leaders

February 20, the Center for the Study of Boys in Virginia hosted the first-ever “Helping Boys Thrive: A Community Conversation” which welcomed over 50 educators and nonprofit leaders from 38 Richmond area organizations that serve boys and young men. Coalition member Kimberly Hudson is director of the center at St. Christopher’s School in Richmond, which is recognized globally as a leader in K12 boys scholarship.

Choros: App for male friendship

Founder Alex Vans, based in Alexandria, is building Choros, a mobile app designed around how men naturally form friendships: In-person, doing stuff.

The platform helps men connect through small group activities like hikes, pickup sports and trivia nights. Part of Startup Virginia’s incubator, Alex has organized more than 250 meetups across the D.C. and Northern Virginia, with plans to expand to other cities this year.

Dads for All: Community building for dads

Nonprofit Dads for All is building networks for fathers around the country. These in-person groups of dads self-organize around local community projects like a park cleanup or a school event, which Dads for All supports through coaching and and event stipends.

Fairfax County resident and co-founder Mohan Sivaloganathan partnered with Virginia-based Choros (see above!) to organize dad hangs, thanks to the networking power of Virginia Coalition for Boys and Men!

Masculinity research participants needed

A high school student at University School at East Tennessee State University is seeking to interview men who live Northeast Tennessee or Southwest Virginia for a research project on masculinity.

She seeks to connect with men who are:

• Ages 40-65
• Biologically male
• Fully identify as male
• Reside in Northeast Tennessee or Southwest Virginia
• Are present in the U.S. at the time of this study

Contact Kaiya Robinson at Robinsonkm2@etsu.edu or read more details about the project.

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Partnership for Male Youth

Dennis J. Barbour is President and CEO of Partnership for Male Youth and a VCBM member. PMY offers access to expert research and interviews and its free newsletter is a fantastic resource on policy, research and news affecting young men. I always read this newsletter! Sign up here.

National news on male issues

In recent weeks:

The White House Council on Fathers and Sons Act of 2026, introduced by Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) and Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), would create a federal council within the White House to coordinate research, policy, and programs focused on strengthening father involvement and addressing challenges facing boys and young men. The bill has been referred to the House Education and Workforce Committee.

H.R. 7602, the State of Men’s Health Act, introduced by Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA) with bipartisan support from members of the Congressional Men’s Health Caucus, would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to produce a comprehensive report on the health status of men and boys in the United States.

The American Nurses Association officially adopted the Men’s Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice along with formal recognition of Men’s Health Nursing as a specialty within the nursing profession. This makes nursing the first healthcare profession to recognize a men’s health specialty supported by a formal scope and standards document.

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• Virginia’s Boys and Men Advisory Commission update

• Center for the Study of Boys gathers Richmond boys/men leaders

• Choros: App for male friendship (Alexandria founded)

• Dads for All: Community building for dads (Fairfax based)

• Masculinity researcher seeks VA participants

• National updates — good news! — re: men’s issues

Legislation to establish a Virginia Boys and Men Advisory Commission is one of a host of bills in the crosshairs of a House–Senate budget standoff despite sailing through committee and floor votes with little opposition. Final vote is expected within the next week or so.

Reminder of the impact of this legislation:

Virginia’s Boys and Men Advisory Commission could be the country’s first such body that is permanent, written into state code, and independent of the governor.

HB1188 enjoys bipartisan support, including an endorsement from House Speaker Don Scott, while its companion bill SB447 is sponsored by state Democratic Party chair Sen. Lamont Bagby. HB447 is co-sponsored by Sen. Lashrecse D. Aird (D-Petersburg) while HB1188 co-sponsors are:

• Del. Jason S. Ballard (R-Giles County)

• Del. Nicole Cole (D-Henrico County)

• Del. Michael B. Feggans (D-Virginia Beach)

• Del. Michael J. Webert (R-Fauquier County)

• Del. Jackie H. Glass (D-Norfolk)

Lead sponsor Del. Josh Thomas (D-Prince William) was the subject of a well-deserved Virginia Public Media profile (audio and written):

Virginia stands to be a national and even global leader in men/boys policy, programs and research on a critical issues that affects its whole population — let’s hope the general assembly sees the opportunity and passes HB1188!

Virginia is already being looked to as a national leader on boys and men’s issues. Next week I will be speaking to an organization in the United Kingdom about male-specific policy reform and have been invited to consult with several national organizations on how to attract and retain men and boys.

The following are some of the cool men/boys activities in the Commonwealth:

Center for the Study of Boys gathers Richmond boys/men leaders

February 20, the Center for the Study of Boys in Virginia hosted the first-ever “Helping Boys Thrive: A Community Conversation” which welcomed over 50 educators and nonprofit leaders from 38 Richmond area organizations that serve boys and young men. Coalition member Kimberly Hudson is director of the center at St. Christopher’s School in Richmond, which is recognized globally as a leader in K12 boys scholarship.

Choros: App for male friendship

Founder Alex Vans, based in Alexandria, is building Choros, a mobile app designed around how men naturally form friendships: In-person, doing stuff.

The platform helps men connect through small group activities like hikes, pickup sports and trivia nights. Part of Startup Virginia’s incubator, Alex has organized more than 250 meetups across the D.C. and Northern Virginia, with plans to expand to other cities this year.

Dads for All: Community building for dads

Nonprofit Dads for All is building networks for fathers around the country. These in-person groups of dads self-organize around local community projects like a park cleanup or a school event, which Dads for All supports through coaching and and event stipends.

Fairfax County resident and co-founder Mohan Sivaloganathan partnered with Virginia-based Choros (see above!) to organize dad hangs, thanks to the networking power of Virginia Coalition for Boys and Men!

Masculinity research participants needed

A high school student at University School at East Tennessee State University is seeking to interview men who live Northeast Tennessee or Southwest Virginia for a research project on masculinity.

She seeks to connect with men who are:

• Ages 40-65
• Biologically male
• Fully identify as male
• Reside in Northeast Tennessee or Southwest Virginia
• Are present in the U.S. at the time of this study

Contact Kaiya Robinson at Robinsonkm2@etsu.edu or read more details about the project.

Partnership for Male Youth

Dennis J. Barbour is President and CEO of Partnership for Male Youth and a VCBM member. PMY offers access to expert research and interviews and its free newsletter is a fantastic resource on policy, research and news affecting young men. I always read this newsletter! Sign up here.

National news on male issues

In recent weeks:

The White House Council on Fathers and Sons Act of 2026, introduced by Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) and Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), would create a federal council within the White House to coordinate research, policy, and programs focused on strengthening father involvement and addressing challenges facing boys and young men. The bill has been referred to the House Education and Workforce Committee.

H.R. 7602, the State of Men’s Health Act, introduced by Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA) with bipartisan support from members of the Congressional Men’s Health Caucus, would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to produce a comprehensive report on the health status of men and boys in the United States.

The American Nurses Association officially adopted the Men’s Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice along with formal recognition of Men’s Health Nursing as a specialty within the nursing profession. This makes nursing the first healthcare profession to recognize a men’s health specialty supported by a formal scope and standards document.

Tuesday Virginia Senate passed SB447 unanimously, making way for the likely signing of the nation’s first legislatively created commission to specifically address boys and men’s issues.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Lamont Bagby, chair of both the Democratic Party of Virginia and Legislative Black Caucus, also passed Rules and Finance and committees unopposed. Lashrecse D. Aird is co-patron.

Companion bill HB1188 was was introduced by Josh Thomas (D-21 Prince William), with co-patrons Jason Ballard (D), Nicole Cole (D), Michael Feggans (D), Michael Webert (R) and Jackie Glass (D).

Thomas and Glass are both members of the Virginia Coalition for Boys and Men.

Fatherhood Initiative laid on the table

In related news, HB1511 sponsored by Del. Michael Feggans (D-97 Virginia Beach), aimed to create a Virginia Fatherhood Initiative and related grant program, but was tabled in the Health and Human Resources committee. Del. Josh Thomas was co-patron.

HB1511 is about “everything we can do at the state level to signal the importance of fathers,” said bill sponsor Delegate Michael Feggans (D-97 Virginia Beach) which will be heard by House the Health and Human Services Committee.

The Virginia Fatherhood Initiative aims to:

1. Establish a Fatherhood Initiative that will recognize “fathers as essential partners in child and family well-being, addressing a critical gap in family support services and promoting positive father involvement linked to improved maternal, child, and family outcomes.”
   
   This includes investing in a statewide public education campaign about the importance of fathers.

2. Assess the needs of Virginia fathers through the many community agencies already working with dads.

3. Establish a fund to distribute multi-year grants to nonprofit community organizations to address the needs of Virginia’s fathers.

HB1511 is very similar to the 2023 Responsible Fatherhood Initiative bill introduced by former Republican delegate Dave A. LaRock. HB2489 did not pass out of the House Appropriations Committee.

But in the three years since, the world has changed dramatically with widespread recognition of the unique issues facing men and boys. The issue is now firmly mainstream and safe for casual conversation on all points of the political spectrum (mostly!).

A few short years ago, Richard Reeves established the American Institute for Boys and Men with $20 million funding from the Melinda French Gates’s foundation and national headlines frequently report devotion to males from governors in Maryland, California, Michigan and Utah. Many believe Virginia’s HB1188 will create the nation’s first state commission on boys and men — signaling the beginning of a surge of policy and program change around the country.

Should Feggans’s initiative pass, Virginia will join a handful of states including Ohio and Florida with legislatively created programs to support and promote fatherhood.

Research on father importance

Common sense and science agree: dads are critical to thriving families and communities. Lack of father engagement is a public health, safety and economic crisis.

Thousands of studies and meta-research find time and again that father engagement is tightly linked with better outcomes for children, mothers and the fathers themselves:

• Children’s mental, physical, emotional social, academic success, and long-term outcomes related to early sex and pregnancy, incarceration, drug use, employment and relationship health improve with better father relationships

• Child abuse rates are lower when fathers are actively involved

• Maternal and infant outcomes are better when the father is involved in prenatal and post-birth care

• Men who are involved fathers less depressed, work more paid hours and less likely to be repeat criminal offenders

• In separated families, family violence rates are lower when moms and dads parent equally

Related men and boys initiatives

Keep an eye on Virginia HB1188 that is sailing through committees unopposed to launch the country’s first legislatively created Commission for Boys and Men.

Washington state legislature is considering two bills to create a Washington commission, headed by Virginia Coalition for Boys and Men special advisor Blair Daily and his Washington Initiative for Boys and Men.

House Bill No. 1511 in full

PDF

2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26105747D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1511

Offered January 23, 2026

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 63.2 a section numbered 63.2-214.4, by adding a section numbered 63.2-319.1, and by adding in Title 63.2 a chapter numbered 24, consisting of a section numbered 63.2-2400, relating to Fatherhood Initiative; fatherhood needs assessment; Fatherhood Initiative Grants Program and Fund established.

—————

Patron—Feggans

—————

Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services

—————

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 63.2 a section numbered 63.2-214.4, by adding a section numbered 63.2-319.1, and by adding in Title 63.2 a chapter numbered 24, consisting of a section numbered 63.2-2400, as follows:

§ 63.2-214.4. Fatherhood Initiative.

A. The Department shall develop and implement the Fatherhood Initiative (the Initiative). The Initiative shall focus on the recognition of fathers as essential partners in child and family well-being, addressing a critical gap in family support services and promoting positive father involvement linked to improved maternal, child, and family outcomes.

B. The initiative shall, at a minimum, involve the establishment of a statewide father engagement media and education campaign.

C. The Department shall collaborate with other relevant agencies of the Commonwealth to develop and implement the initiative.

§ 63.2-319.1. Fatherhood needs assessment.

A. Each local board shall ensure that it is addressing the unique needs of the fathers of children who are served by the local department of social services.

B. Each local board shall:

1. Conduct an initial assessment of its engagement with such fathers and provision of and referral to father-oriented services.

2. Create an action plan to address any gaps identified through the assessment and implement the action plan.

C. The Department shall annually review how the local board is meeting the needs of fathers, including, at a minimum, how the local board is helping fathers establish positive, stable relationships with their children and assisting fathers in receiving needed services. The local board shall provide any relevant information on how it is meeting the needs of these fathers to the Department.

CHAPTER 24.

FATHERHOOD INITIATIVE GRANTS PROGRAM AND FUND.

§ 63.2-2400. Fatherhood Initiative Grants Program and Fund.

A. From the funds appropriated for such purpose and from the gifts, donations, grants, bequests, and other funds received on its behalf, there is established (i) the Fatherhood Initiative Grants Program (the Program), to be administered by the Department, and (ii) a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Fatherhood Initiative Grants Fund (the Fund). The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All moneys appropriated by the General Assembly for the Fund, and received from any other sources, public or private, shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Commissioner.

B. Subject to the authority of the Department to provide for its disbursement, the Fund shall be disbursed to award grants to nonprofit community-based organizations to address the needs of fathers. Grants shall be awarded for no more than three years, with subsequent year funding contingent on compliance with grant requirements and adequate performance. Such organizations may apply for grants from the Program on a form approved by the Department. Grant recipients shall submit reports to the Department in a format and at intervals, which shall be at least annually, prescribed by the Department.

C. The Department shall develop appropriate criteria and guidelines for the use of funding provided from the Fund and shall establish monitoring and accountability mechanisms for organizations receiving funding. Additionally, the Department shall (i) identify qualifying organizations based on criteria developed by the Department and in accordance with this section and (ii) ensure that grants provided by the Program are utilized in a manner that aligns with the Program’s goals.

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Summary:

Del. Josh Thomas (D-21) introduced HB1188, which:

Establishes the Virginia Boys and Men Advisory Commission as an advisory commission in the legislative branch of state government for the purpose of advising the General Assembly on issues of concern, including education inequity, economic opportunities, disparity in health outcomes, and the impact of social media use, as such issues relate to boys and men in the Commonwealth.

The effort was first announced at an October event by House Speaker Don Scott (D), Thomas, Sen. Lamont Bagby (D) (Senate Patron and party chair), Sen. Lashrecse Aird (D) and Del. Michael Feggans (D), an event that attracted attention from national media including a Scott Galloway podcast, ABC News and American Institute for Boys and Men founder Richard Reeves.

Fiscal impact is about $50,000 to cover legislators’ travel to participate on the board.

HB1188 is written to be enacted this year, which will make it the first such legislatively created body in the United States.

Timeline:

Feb. 6: SB447 passed unanimously passed Rules committee

Feb. 2, Virginia House passed HB1188 94-4.

The four nays are Republicans. Last week HB1188 passed Rules subcommittee and committee unanimously.

Tuesday, Jan. 27 HB1188 passed Rules committee 18-0 to advance to the House floor: 13 Democrats and 5 Republicans.

Friday, Jan. 23, HB1188 advanced from House rules studies subcommittee 5-0: 4 Democrats and one Republican.

It’s expected to be heard in committee this week then heard on the House floor three days later.

January 14, 2026, Chief Patron Del. Josh Thomas (D21) introduced HB1188, which:

Establishes the Virginia Boys and Men Advisory Commission as an advisory commission in the legislative branch of state government for the purpose of advising the General Assembly on issues of concern, including education inequity, economic opportunities, disparity in health outcomes, and the impact of social media use, as such issues relate to boys and men in the Commonwealth.

The effort was first announced at an October event by House Speaker Don Scott (D), Thomas, Sen. Lamont Bagby (D) (Senate Patron and party chair), Sen. Lashrecse Aird (D) and Del. Michael Feggans (D), an event that attracted attention from national media including a Scott Galloway podcast, ABC News and American Institute for Boys and Men founder Richard Reeves.

HB1188 is written to be enacted this year, which will make it the first such legislatively created body in the United States.

Other U.S. state bills to create boys and mens commissions

Our friend Blair Daly, founder of Washington Initiative for Boys and Men, who consulted on HB1188, wrote that two bills in his Washington have been filed to create a similar commission:

• January 9, Representative April Berg (D) introduced House Bill 2401 establishing the Washington boys and men commission with 19 Democratic sponsors and 1 Republican sponsor.

• January 13, Representative Mary Dye (R) introduced House Bill 2461 establishing the Washington commission on boys and men with 18 Republican sponsors and 0 Democratic sponsors.

I’ve said it many times: Caring about boys and men — true gender equality — is the bipartisan issue of our time. Thank you for your good work Blair and godspeed Washington!

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Full language of Virginia HB1188 to create Virginia Boys and Men Advisory Commission

Official HB1188 filing, here in PDF.

HOUSE BILL NO. 1188
Offered January 14, 2026
Prefiled January 14, 2026

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 30 a chapter numbered 70, consisting of sections numbered 30-454 through 30-457, relating to the establishment of the Virginia Boys and Men Advisory Commission; report.

Patron—Thomas
Committee Referral Pending

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Title 30 a chapter numbered 70, consisting of sections numbered 30-454 through 30-457, as follows:

CHAPTER 70

VIRGINIA BOYS AND MEN ADVISORY COMMISSION

§ 30-454. Virginia Boys and Men Advisory Commission; membership; terms; quorum; meetings.

A. The Virginia Boys and Men Advisory Commission (the Commission) is established as an advisory commission in the legislative branch of state government.

B. The Commission shall have a total membership of 26 members consisting of 12 legislative members, nine nonlegislative citizen members, and five ex officio members. Members shall be appointed as follows:

1. Seven members of the House of Delegates appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates;

2. Five members of the Senate appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules;

3. Four nonlegislative citizen members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates, of whom:

   • one shall be a licensed pediatrician,

   • one shall be an elementary school administrator,

   • one shall be a representative of the Virginia Community College System, and

   • one shall have experience and expertise in public safety; and

4. Five nonlegislative citizen members appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, of whom:

   • one shall be a board-certified mental health specialist,

   • one shall be a high school administrator,

   • one shall be a representative of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia,

   • one shall be a representative of the Department of Education with a focus on career and technical education, and

   • one shall be a member of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.

The Secretaries of the Commonwealth, Commerce and Trade, Education, Health and Human Resources, and Public Safety and Homeland Security, or their designees, shall serve ex officio with nonvoting privileges. Nonlegislative citizen members shall be citizens of the Commonwealth.

C. Ex officio members and legislative members shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office. Appointments to fill vacancies, other than by expiration of a term, shall be for the unexpired term and made in the same manner as the original appointment. All members may be reappointed.

After the initial staggering of terms, nonlegislative citizen members shall be appointed for four-year terms. No nonlegislative citizen member shall serve more than two consecutive four-year terms. The remainder of any term served to fill a vacancy shall not count toward term limits.

D. The Commission shall elect a chair and vice-chair from among its membership, both of whom shall be members of the General Assembly. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. Meetings shall be held at the call of the chair or upon request of a majority of the members.

§ 30-455. Compensation; expenses.

Legislative members shall receive compensation as provided in § 30-19.12. Nonlegislative citizen members shall receive compensation as provided in § 2.2-2813. All members shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825.

Compensation to members of the General Assembly shall be paid by the offices of the Clerk of the House of Delegates or the Clerk of the Senate, as applicable. All other compensation and expenses shall be paid from existing appropriations to the Commission or, if unfunded, shall be approved by the Joint Rules Committee.

§ 30-456. Powers and duties of the Commission; report.

The Commission shall have the power and duty to:

1. Advise the General Assembly regarding issues affecting boys and men in the Commonwealth, including education inequity, economic opportunities, disparities in health outcomes, family life, and the impact of social media use.

2. Undertake studies, sponsor symposiums, conduct research, and prepare factual reports to formulate recommendations to the General Assembly, with particular focus on the issues listed in subdivision 1.

3. Advise the General Assembly as needed regarding statutory, regulatory, or other issues of importance to boys and men in the Commonwealth.

4. Submit an annual report to the General Assembly and the Governor for publication in accordance with procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems. The chair shall submit an executive summary of interim activity and work no later than the first day of the regular session of the General Assembly. Such reports shall be made available on the General Assembly’s website.

§ 30-457. Staffing.

The Office of the Clerk of the house in which the chair serves shall provide administrative staff support. The Division of Legislative Services shall provide legal and legislative research and analysis as requested by the Commission.

2. The provisions of this act shall expire on July 1, 2029.

3. Initial appointments of nonlegislative citizen members shall be staggered as follows:

• one member appointed by the Speaker and one by the Senate Committee on Rules for one-year terms;

• one member appointed by the Speaker and one by the Senate Committee on Rules for two-year terms;

• one member appointed by the Speaker and one by the Senate Committee on Rules for three-year terms; and

• one member appointed by the Speaker and two by the Senate Committee on Rules for four-year terms.

4. In addition to the annual report required under § 30-456, the Commission shall submit a one-time special report to the General Assembly and the Governor on or before October 1, 2026, consisting of no more than three recommendations. This report shall be published in accordance with procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

House Speaker Don Scott, Del. Josh Thomas (House patron), Sen. Lamont Bagby (Senate Patron and party chair) Sen. Lashrecse Aird and Del. Michael Feggans gave a press conference Oct. 14 at the General Assembly building to announce what stands to be groundbreaking legislation.

A bill to create a permanent committee will be introduced to the general assembly next year and focus on four key areas long known to negatively impact men and boys:

• Education – Boys are falling behind in literacy, graduation rates, and postsecondary attainment.

• Economic opportunity – Too many young men are disconnected from stable work or skills training.

• Health disparities – From mental health to chronic illness, men and boys face unique challenges that require tailored approaches.

• Social media and identity – The online ecosystem is shaping an entire generation’s understanding of manhood, purpose, and connection.

  Sign up to get updates on this bill, join others who care, and learn how you can help!

Next steps include a series of listening sessions to inform legislation.

Richard Reeves’s American Institute for Boys and Men provided research for the conference:

• 13% of young men in Virginia between 16 to 24 are not in school and are not working.

• Men and boys accounted for four out of every five suicide deaths from Virginia

• Men account for 71% of unintentional overdose deaths.

• 1 in 10 working age men in Virginia lack health insurance — a third higher than women

• 8% of nurses in the state are men

Media coverage of Virginia Advisory Commission for Men and Boys

Scott Galloway’s Raging Moderates podcast, Sen. Scott speaks about the commission:

Richmond Times Dispatch: Scott calls for special advisory board to look into men’s and boys’ challenges

Charlottesville Daily Progress

Lynchburg News & Advance Virginia: New board to look at men’s and boys’ challenges

ABC News:

American Institute for Boys and Men President Richard Reeves:

The Center for the Study of Boys is a school-based research institute that has conducted nearly 50 studies focused on how K-12 aged boys learn, grow and develop.

The center has a staff of five and is based at St. Christopher’s School, a private PK-12 all-boys school in Richmond, Va. Last year it celebrated its 10 year anniversary, an event headlined by Richard Reeves, President of the American Institute for Boys and Men.

In this video I interview Director Dr. Kimberly Hudson, a member of the Virginia Coalition for Boys and Men, about the center’s global leadership, as it partners on research with schools around the world and consults with schools that are launching their own research centers. Hudson sits on the International Boys’ Schools Coalition Board of Trustees and is Chair of the International Boys’ Schools Coalition Research Committee.

Highlights:

• The elegance and power of classroom-based “action research”

• Research topic highlights including emotional development, effective learning, social support and understanding sexual citizenship

• How the Center for the Study of Boys’s reputation and influence grows along with the global recognition of the need to better understand how boys develop and learn
  

This month, Hopkins House, a nonprofit early childhood education center serving Northern Virginia families since 1939, is launching an incentive program to recruit more men into the field. The effort aims to address teacher shortages and reduce gender gaps in early childhood education.

Across the country, fewer than 6% of preschool teachers and only 3% of kindergarten teachers are men. At Hopkins House, just two of the 34 preschool teachers are men. This lack of balance limits children’s exposure to diverse role models and reinforces stereotypes about who belongs in the classroom, said J. Glenn Hopkins, President and CEO of Hopkins House and a member of the Virginia Coalition for Boys and Men.

“Encouraging young men to pursue meaningful careers in early childhood education is not just about workforce diversity,” said J. Glenn Hopkins said. “It’s about making sure every child benefits from a variety of role models during their most formative years.”

The pilot program will support four men entering the profession with:

• $6,000 in bonus payments, including signing, retention, and credential-completion bonuses

• Mentorship from experienced educators

• College and career advancement opportunities

While the program is open to all qualified applicants, priority will go to low-income male recent high school graduates. Over the next year, Hopkins House will collect and share data on whether the program helps more men apply for, accept, and stay in early childhood education jobs.

The initiative is funded through a grant from the McNeil Family Foundation in Alexandria, Va. Hopkins House plans to seek additional funding to expand the program.

J. Glenn Hopkins authored the Building the Pipeline of Male Early Childhood Educators report and hosts the Early Childhood Learning Institute Conference, and is a leading advocate for male early childhood educators in Virginia and nationwide.

State efforts to serve boys and men

Oct. 14, 2025, Virginia House Speaker Don Scott, Del. Josh Thomas, Democrat Party Chair Lamont Bagby and other legislators announced commitment to passing legislation to create the Virginia Advisory Commission for Men and Boys

Sept., 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom launched California Men’s Service Challenge

July, 2025 Newsom issues an executive order to support young men and boys, calling out suicide rates

June, 2025, President Donald Trump issued a Presidential Message on National Men’s Health Week

February, 2025 Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced a directive to expand training and college for men

February, 2025 Maryland governor Wes Moore announced his administration will begin implementing “targeted solutions to uplift our men and boys.”

2024 Utah Governor Spencer Cox created a task force on male wellbeing

For decades, gender politics in the United States have focused nearly universally on women’s and girls’ issues: gaps in pay, education, employment and leadership, reproductive and other health care and more. We still have some work to do here.

Finally there is a growing recognition of the many ways that boys and men are at a disadvantage. This movement is only just starting. The breakthrough voice has been Richard Reeves, a Brookings Institute scholar whose bestseller Of Boys and Men got the attention of the masses, President Barack Obama and eventually Melinda Gates who granted Reeve’s American Institute for Boys and Men $20 million — a landmark gift that shifted gender inequality conversations into the future.

While men’s issues have typically been the mainstay of political conservatives, that is now far from the case. Increasingly politicians on all points of the political spectrum are addressing the masculinity crisis.

In the Commonwealth, men’s and boys’ outcomes deserve concern and support.

These are just some ways that males in Virginia fare worse than females:

Education in Virginia

Virginia ranks No. 1 in the United States for gender gap in reading.

• VA SOL writing pass rate: Boys 11 percentage points lower than girls

• Reading: Boys 6 points lower

• Math: Boys 5 points lower

• K-12 classroom instructors: 17% men

• Early childhood teachers: 2% men

• College enrollment: 43% men

• Trade school enrollment: 25% men

Health in Virginia

• Suicides: 77% men

• Life expectancy: 75 men vs 81 women

• Homeless: 63% men

• Alcohol related deaths: 69% males

• Men are 2X more likely than women to experience substance abuse

Crime in Virginia

• Juvenile detention: 93% male

• 92% VA prisoners are men

Mission

Virginia Coalition for Boys and Men is a nonpartisan, statewide network of organizations and leaders working to ensure a future where men and boys’ unique qualities are valued and their unique struggles are addressed for the benefit of all.

Problem: Virginia’s boys and men are struggling:

In the Commonwealth, men’s and boys’ outcomes deserve concern and resources:

Education

• VA SOL writing pass rate: Boys 11 percentage points lower than girls

• Reading: Boys 6 percentage points lower

• Math: Boys 5 percentage points lower

• K-12 classroom instructors: 17% men

• Early childhood teachers: 2% men

• College enrollment: 43% men

• Trade school enrollment: 25% men

Health

• Suicides: 77% men

• Life expectancy: 75 men vs 81 women

• Homeless: 63% men

• Alcohol related deaths: 69% males

• Men are 2X more likely than women to experience substance abuse

Crime

• Juvenile detention: 93% male

• 92% prisoners are men

Opportunity:

Issues facing males are beginning to get attention nationwide. A Virginia coalition is an opportunity to get ahead of what will be a massive nationwide bipartisan movement to change laws, devote resources and create a Virginia where everyone has equal opportunity to thrive.

Virginia Coalition for Boys and Men Actions:

• Be a powerful public-facing force to raise awareness of men and boy issues

• Advise lawmakers with data-based recommendations

• Collaborate on research, media messaging and effective advocacy

• Internally share ideas and network

Join the movement: emma@vaboysandmen.org

Why do we need a Virginia council for boys andd men?

1. There are unique challenges boys and men face in the Commonwealth and nationwide.

2. Like other states, Virginia benefits from councils and advisory board devoted to interests of other minority groups:

Virginia Council on Women

Virginia African American Advisory Board

Virginia LGBTQ+ Advisory Board

Virginia Latino Advisory Board

Virginia Asian American Advisory Board

3. It is time Virginia devote state resources to understand and address the challenges unique to our boys and men. This coalition calls for policy to address these needs.