Recently passed bills aim to enhance behavioral, mental health in Virginia

Virginia state officials are touting the state's commitment to improving behavioral and mental health for its citizens, following the recent passage of a comprehensive set of bills.

In a statement June 14, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said the measures would pay dividends statewide.

“With fortified support for mental health professionals and steadfast commitment to timely crisis intervention, we're addressing critical needs of Virginians and raising the bar for the standard of care across the commonwealth," Youngkin said.

The new bills include two (Senate Bills 403 and 34) that enhance the behavioral health workforce by adding behavioral health technicians and assistants under the Virginia Board of Counseling’s oversight and authorizing certain hospitals to employ trained personnel for temporary detention order evaluations.​

A series of other bills were designed to advance crisis intervention efforts, including clarifications on criteria for authorizing alternative transportation for people who require temporary detention and behavioral health treatment; expansion of technology use for drug storage and dispensing in crisis stabilization facilities; establishment of health insurance coverage standards for behavioral health crisis services; and family access to individuals undergoing a mental health evaluation.​

Youngkin praised the bipartisan nature of the legislation, which he called a testament to Virginia's commitment to revolutionizing mental health services and accessibility.

“These new laws represent a critical step in addressing the mental health crisis in our commonwealth,” said John Littel, Secretary of Health and Human Resources. “By empowering our behavioral health professionals and improving crisis response systems, we are paving the way for a more responsive and resilient mental health infrastructure. This is about ensuring that every Virginian has access to the support they need, precisely when they need it.”​