Virginia considers new laws after Irvo Otieno dies amid a mental health crisis
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Legislation inspired by a Henrico County man who died at Central State Hospital last March cleared its first hurdle at the Virginia General Assembly.
The House Committee for Courts of Justice Criminal Subcommittee unanimously approved HB 1242, also called Irvo's Law, on Monday following testimony from loved ones of the bill's namesake.
The bill aims to preserve a family member or caregiver's access to a loved one being treated at a health facility for a mental health crisis under an emergency custody order (ECO) or temporary detention order (TDO).
Irvo Otieno, a Henrico County man, was suffering from a mental health crisis in March 2023 and was taken to Parham Doctor's Hospital under an emergency custody order (ECO). He was eventually taken to Henrico jail, before being transferred to Central State Hospital where he died after being held on the ground for 12 minutes by Henrico County Sheriff's deputies and hospital staff.
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