Bryan resubmitted revised behavioral health bill to Legislature

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said on June 6, 2022, that he had resubmitted a revised behavioral health bill after making changes to his original proposal based on input from the 34th Legislature, the departments of Health and Human Services, the Judicial System, the Virgin Islands Police Department and other public-sector organizations.

The measure was first submitted to the 33rd Legislature in January 2020. According to Government House, the revised proposal would consolidate laws in the Virgin Islands Code into a single Behavioral Health Act and address services for children and adults with behavioral health challenges, mental health disorders, developmental disabilities, alcoholism and drug addiction.

The proposal also would establish what Government House described as the territory's first facility for behavioral health, mental health, developmental disability, alcohol and substance abuse treatment.

The bill would update laws governing voluntary treatment, involuntary commitment, mental competency to stand trial, and the commitment and rehabilitation of people with substance-abuse disorders.

It also would codify a crisis intervention program, a crisis intervention team, a behavioral health council and an interdepartmental coordinating committee.

Under the proposal, a Division of Behavioral Health, Mental Health, Developmental Disability, Alcoholism and Drug Dependency Services would be created within the Department of Health. Government House said the division would be led by a director who must be a licensed medical practitioner in behavioral or mental health or another qualified professional with at least five years of relevant training and experience.

The measure also would establish community service networks to coordinate continuity of care, provide for protective custody for people who may be a danger to themselves or others, provide behavioral health training for first responders and education personnel, and participate in competency hearings and other judicial proceedings involving people with behavioral and mental health problems.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-resubmits-landmark-behavioral-health-legislation/