The Joint Subcommittee on the Medical Needs of Children was authorized to conduct its study by House Joint Resolution No. 48, agreed to by the House of Delegates and the Senate of Virginia during the 1978 Session.

Pursuant to the direction of the General Assembly to conduct a study of the medical needs of children who are in the custody or care of State and local agencies, Delegate John D. Gray, Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions and Senator Hunter B. Andrews, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education and Health, appointed the following delegates and senators to serve on a joint subcommittee: Delegate Norman Sisisky of Petersburg, Senator Adelard L. Brault of Fairfax, Senator John C. Buchanan of Wise, Senator A. Joe Canada, Jr. of Virginia Beach, Delegate Evelyn M. Hailey of Norfolk, Delegate Joan S. Jones of Lynchburg, Delegate Owen B. Pickett of Virginia Beach, Delegate Robert C. Scott of Newport News, Delegate Frank M. Slayton of South Boston, Delegate Warren G. Stambaugh of Arlington and Senator Edward E. Willey of Richmond. Delegate Sisisky was selected to serve as chairman and Delegate Hailey as vice-chairman.