2018 Virginia General Assembly
Legislative Highlights
January 24, 2018
The disAbility law Center of Virginia is monitoring developments in the legislature that may be of interest to people with disabilities. We are available to educate policymakers about the potential impact of legislative proposals. Most bills are now available to the public on-line. Please let us know of any legislative proposals or budget issues that you think we should be following. Contact us at info@dlcv.org or by calling 1-800-552-3962 or 804-225-2042.
As always, there are many bills concerning mental health issues that the General Assembly is considering. These include:
HB 42 (Kory) – would abolish the common law crime of suicide. This bill failed to report out of subcommittee #1 of the House Courts of Justice.
HB 569 (Gooditis) – requires the Department of Behavioral Health to provide an annual report on suicide prevention activities. Approved by the House Health, Welfare and Institutions and read twice in the full House of Delegates.
HB 52 (Hope) – allows for an evaluation of whether someone is competent to stand trial to be done on an outpatient basis if appropriate. Assigned to subcommittee # 2 of House Courts of Justice, to be heard this afternoon.
HB 53 (Hope) – allows for an evaluation of whether someone is “not guilty by reason of insanity” to be done on an outpatient basis if appropriate. Assigned to subcommittee # 1 of the House Courts of Justice, to be heard this afternoon.
HB 758 (Leftwich) – prohibits the use of the death penalty for someone who is severely mentally ill. Assigned to House Courts of Justice.
HB 933 (Hope) – extends the time period for an order of mandatory outpatient treatment for 3 to 6 months. Assigned to House Courts of Justice, subcommittee #2, to be heard this afternoon.
HB 935 (Hope) – removes the requirement that an individual be willing to cooperate in an order of mandatory treatment. Assigned to House Courts of Justice, subcommittee #2, to be heard this afternoon.
SB 670 (Deeds) – requires firefighters and emergency personnel to develop training in mental health awareness. Assigned to the Health subcommittee of Senate Education and Health,.
SJ 14 (Edwards) – calls for a study into alternative methods of emergency detention and temporary detention. Assigned to the Senate Committee on Rules.
The mission of the disAbility Law Center of Virginia is to advance independence, choice and self-determination; protect legal, human and civil rights; and eliminate abuse, neglect and discrimination of people with disabilities through zealous and uncompromising legal advocacy and representation.