Virginia Center for Behavioral Rehabilitation & SVP Program

Item 319 #1c

Language
Page 282, line 2, strike "$24,779,453" and insert "$14,693,532".
Page 282, strike lines 13 through 15 and insert:
"A.1.  The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) shall implement a plan to double bunk up to 150 sexually violent predators committed to the Virginia Center for Behavioral Rehabilitation (VCBR).  The department shall not reopen a temporary facility for the housing, confinement and treatment of civilly committed sexually violent predators at the Southside Virginia Training Center in Dinwiddie County.  Further, the department shall not undertake a capital project to expand or construct additional units or facilities for the housing, confinement and treatment of these individuals until a comprehensive review of the current program for the civil commitment of sexually violent predators is completed.  The Department of Corrections shall assist DBHDS in developing the plan to double bunk residents and shall provide risk assessment data of the affected population.
2.  In the event that services are not available in Virginia to address the specific needs of an individual committed for treatment at the VCBR or conditionally released, or additional capacity cannot be met after double bunking up to 150 beds at the VCBR, the Commissioner is authorized to seek such services from another state.
3.  Beginning on  July 1, 2011, the department shall provide quarterly reports to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees on the plan for double bunking and the housing of additional individuals committed for treatment."

Explanation
(This amendment requires the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to implement a plan to double bunk up to 150 sexually violent predators committed to the Virginia Center for Behavioral Rehabilitation (VCBR) and report on its plan to do so. Language prohibits the department from proceeding with the expansion or construction of additional units or facilities for the housing, confinement and treatment of these individuals. A companion amendment in Item 30 provides for a review of the program by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission. The amendment reduces $10.1 million from the general fund and 298 positions in the second year to reflect a delay in reopening a temporary facility in Dinwiddie County to confine, house and treat civilly committed sexually violent predators, the implementation of more efficient staffing ratios, and the use of double bunking. Authority is provided to seek services from other states for involuntarily civilly committed violent sexual predators or those conditionally released, if certain conditions are met. Language also requires the Department of Corrections (DOC) to assist DBHDS in developing a plan to double bunk the population at the current facility and provide risk assessment data on the affected population.)