Bill Text: VA HB883 | 2021 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: DCJS; costs and benefits of implementing a deflection to treatment program, report.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-12-04 - Left in Health, Welfare and Institutions [HB883 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2021-HB883-Prefiled.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. §1. That the Department of Criminal Justice Services, together with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, shall evaluate the costs and benefits of implementing a deflection to treatment program that provides for deflection of individuals with mental illness or substance use disorder to community-based treatment rather than arrest of the person or charging of the person, or that allows for the holding of potential charges in abeyance, reduces criminal justice system involvement of and facilitate linkages to treatment and support services for individuals with substance use disorder or mental illness, and provide recommendations related to implementation of a deflection of treatment program in the Commonwealth. In conducting its evaluation, the Department shall evaluate (i) the number of individuals with substance use disorder or mental illness who become involved with the criminal justice system each year, (ii) the number of such individuals who might be diverted from the criminal justice system to treatment through a deflection to treatment program, (iii) the resources currently available to meet the treatment needs of individuals diverted from the criminal justice system through a deflection to treatment program, (iv) the costs and benefits of implementing a deflection to treatment program generally and the Five Deflection Pathways in accordance with the Police, Treatment and Community Collaborative specifically, including any law enforcement and treatment resources required by each of the five Deflection Pathways, (v) any additional resources necessary to meet the treatment needs of individuals deflected to treatment, and (vi) any statutory, regulatory, budgetary, or other changes necessary to implement a deflection to treatment program for individuals with substance use disorder or mental illness in the Commonwealth and, to the extent that adequate treatment capacity does not exist to provide clinically appropriate treatment to individuals deflected to treatment, recommendations for how to address such lack of capacity. The Department shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1, 2020.
