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2024 Special Session I

Budget Bill - SB6001 (Introduced)

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services

Item 294

Item 294

A. It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services proceed in transforming its system of care into a model that embodies best practices and state-of-the art services. The consumer-driven system of services and supports shall promote self-determination, empowerment, recovery, resilience, health, and the highest possible level of consumer participation in all aspects of community life. The transformed system shall include investments in a suitable array and adequate quantity of community-based services, with an emphasis on consumer choice and the appropriate use of facility resources. State facilities shall be redesigned to ensure high quality care, efficient operation, and capacity necessary for persons most in need of such care. Amounts authorized herein, and in related legislation, shall be used to support the transformation of the system of care and to promote the provision of behavioral health and developmental services in the most efficient and appropriate setting. The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services may consider the use of public-private partnerships to deliver behavioral health and intellectual disability services as part of the comprehensive behavioral health and intellectual disability system of care, in facilities that are being planned for renovation or replacement. These partnerships may include contracts with private entities for facility operations, unless the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services can demonstrate that continued state operation of the facility is at least as cost effective and provides at least an equivalent or higher level quality care than operation by a private entity.


B. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, on July 1, of each year, the State Comptroller shall transfer to the general fund any special revenue fund balance accumulated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services in excess of $25,000,000. Any special fund revenue alloted for the implementation of electronic health records shall not be counted in the balance.


C.1. Notwithstanding §4-5.10, §4-5.09 of this Act and paragraph C. of § 2.2-1156, Code of Virginia, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services is hereby authorized to deposit the entire proceeds of the sales of surplus land at state-owned behavioral health and intellectual disability facilities into a revolving trust fund. The trust fund may initially be used for expenses associated with restructuring such facilities. Remaining proceeds after such expenses shall be dedicated to continuing services for current patients as facility services are restructured. Thereafter, the fund will be used to enhance services to individuals with mental illness, intellectual disability and substance abuse problems.


2. Expenditures from the Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Trust Fund shall be subject to appropriation through an appropriations bill passed by the General Assembly.


3. Any remaining appropriation at year end in the Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Trust Fund shall be carried forward to the subsequent fiscal year.


D.1. Any funds appropriated in this act for the purpose of complying with the settlement agreement with the United States Department of Justice pursuant to civil action no: 3:12cv059-JAG that remain unspent at the end of each fiscal year shall be reported by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to the Department of Planning and Budget and the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees by September 1 after the close of each fiscal year. The department shall include in its report each item and the amount of funding for such item that remains unspent, with an explanation for the remaining balance at year end.


2. The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services shall report on the status of compliance with the provisions of the settlement agreement with the United States Department of Justice pursuant to civil action no: 3:12cv059-JAG and shall: (i) list each noncompliant provision; (ii) the status of meeting the provision; (iii) the department's planned actions to achieve compliance; and (iv) the date the department expects to achieve compliance with the provision. The department shall report such information to the Director, Department of Planning and Budget and the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees quarterly, with each report due 30 days after the end of each quarter.


E. The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services shall, in its guidance, regulations and policies for Certified Prescreener Clinicians, related to educational and supervisory qualifications, ensure compliance with the process to allow experienced staff who do not meet the enhanced requirements to continue to practice as a Certified Prescreener Clinician as outlined in the 2016 memos and guidance from the department. The department shall not alter such requirements until July 1, 2023, or after a comprehensive review of Certified Prescreener Clinicians has been conducted.