2026 SESSION
ENROLLED
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 158
Celebrating the life of Ashley Elizabeth Harrell.
Agreed to by the Senate, March 5, 2026
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 9, 2026
WHEREAS, Ashley Elizabeth Harrell, a dedicated social worker and a beloved wife and mother in Chester, died on July 13, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Ashley Harrell was born in Forsyth County, North Carolina, to Ollie and Jacquelyn Harrell and ultimately settled in the Commonwealth to pursue a career as a licensed clinical social worker; and
WHEREAS, Ashley Harrell held a master's degree in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University and served as senior program advisor for substance use disorder services in the Behavioral Health Division at the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services; and
WHEREAS, Ashley Harrell helped transform Medicaid coverage for substance use disorder into the Addiction and Recovery Treatment Services (ARTS) Benefits program and aided in the development of Section 1115 of the Social Security Act, Demonstration Waiver Application to require ARTS Benefits to cover a full continuum of care; and
WHEREAS, thanks in large part to Ashley Harrell's visionary leadership, the Commonwealth's ARTS Benefits program has been recognized nationally as the model for other states; and