No Closure of SVMHI-Revised

Item 354 #2s

Language
Page 337, line 40, strike "$2,705,319" and insert "$2,595,826".
Page 338, after line 5, insert:
"Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute shall not be closed.  Capacity for Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute may be reduced, to the extent that utilization of the facility declines and effective treatment alternatives are provided in the community.  The Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services shall report any capacity reductions to the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees, and to the Behavioral Health Care Commission."

Explanation
(This amendment adds language that prohibits closure of Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute, as proposed in the introduced budget. Capacity of the facility could be reduced, to the extent that utilization declines and effective treatment in the community is provided. A companion amendment in Item 329 adds $1.5 million for expansion of community-based treatment alternatives, expected to reduce the facility capacity from about 70 to 55 beds. This amendment and a companion amendment in Item 355 reduce operating funds for the facility by five percent.)