2023 Mental Health General Assembly Outcomes

Bills

HB 2182: Process for the Behavioral Health Commission to solicit and receive input (Del. Robinson)

Our Position: Support 

Status: Passed and signed into law by the governor (effective 7/1/23).

Summary: Gives the Behavioral Health Commission the power and duty to implement a process to solicit and receive input from individuals who are currently receiving or have received behavioral health services or individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities or autism spectrum disorders or the family members of such individuals to inform the work of the Commission. 

 

HB 2216/SB 1347: Health insurance coverage for mobile crisis response services and residential crisis stabilization units (Del. Leftwich, Sen. Cosgrove)

Our Position: Monitor 

HB 2216 Status: Passed and signed into law by the governor (effective 7/1/23).

SB 1347 Status: Passed and signed into law by the governor (effective 7/1/23).

Summary: Requires health insurance carriers to provide coverage for mobile crisis response services and support and stabilization services provided in a residential crisis stabilization unit. The bill also requires the State Corporation Commission and the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to convene a stakeholder work group to examine standards for mobile crisis response services and the current availability of mobile crisis response services in Virginia. The bill requires the Commission to report the findings of the work group to the Health Insurance Reform Commission and the Governor no later than September 1, 2023. 

 

HB 2121: Factors to be considered in juvenile transfer hearing (Del. Hudson)

Our Position: Support 

Status: Failed in the House.

Summary: Adds “the nature and extend of any prior trauma” to the list of factors a juvenile and domestic relations district court shall consider when determining whether a juvenile is a proper person to remain within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court or to transfer the juvenile to circuit court for prosecution. 

 

HB 1389: Parental consent required for administration of mental health treatment to minors (Del. Anderson)

Our Position: Oppose 

Status: Passed the House (57-47). Failed in the Senate.

Summary: Repeals the Code of Virginia section that currently allows a minor to be deemed an adult for the purpose of consenting to medical and health services needed in the case of outpatient care, treatment, or rehabilitation for mental illness or emotional disturbance. This bill would require parental consent for a minor to be administered medication for the treatment of mental illness or emotional disturbance. 

 

HB 2280: Parental consent to surgical and medical treatment of certain minors; admission of minors to mental health facility for inpatient treatment (Del. LaRock)

Our Position: Oppose 

Status: Failed in the House.

Summary: Requires written informed consent from the parent or guardian of any minor prior to any non-emergency surgical or medical treatment, mental health treatment, or immunization of a minor. The bill repeals the current code that allows a minor to be deemed an adult for the purpose of consenting to certain medical or health services. The bill also allows a minor of any age to be admitted to a mental health facility for inpatient treatment without the consent of the minor.