Bryan submitted bill to overhaul Virgin Islands mental health system

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. submitted legislation to the 33rd Legislature on Jan. 17, 2020, that would reorganize the Virgin Islands' mental health system and create the territory's first facility for behavioral health, mental health, developmental disabilities, and alcohol and substance-abuse treatment.

The bill, titled the Virgin Islands Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Act, would also provide for coordination among courts, government agencies, health professionals, public and private facilities, and nonprofit organizations. The measure outlined residential psychiatric facilities, community-based crisis services, inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services with case management, medication-assisted treatment, detoxification services, and supportive housing.

Under the proposal, the Department of Health would oversee the reformed system. The bill would create a Division of Behavioral Health, Mental Health, Developmental Disability, Alcoholism and Drug Dependency Services within the department.

The legislation also called for at least one mental health and developmental disability facility, a seven-member Behavioral Health Council of the Virgin Islands, community service networks, a crisis intervention program and team, and standards for public and private treatment facilities.

The measure included provisions for telemedicine and telepsychology, protective custody for people considered a danger to themselves or others, training for first responders and education personnel, and rules governing voluntary and involuntary commitment, patient rights, treatment programs, off-island hospitalization, transfers, and medication.

According to Government House, Bryan said existing mental health provisions in the Virgin Islands Code were scattered and dated to 1965.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-submits-legislation-to-reform-usvi-mental-health-system/