Bryan statement backs Francis move on behavioral health bill

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said on Feb. 27, 2021, that Sen. Novelle Francis Jr. had brought forward the administration’s proposed Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Act, a measure first submitted to the 33rd Legislature in mid-January 2020.

According to Government House, the bill was intended to consolidate laws in the Virgin Islands Code and address service gaps affecting children and adults with behavioral health challenges, mental health disorders, developmental disabilities, alcoholism and drug addiction.

The proposal would establish the territory’s first behavioral health, mental health, developmental disability, and alcohol and substance abuse facility. It also called for residential psychiatric facilities, community-based crisis services, inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services with case management, medication-assisted treatment, detoxification services, and supportive housing.

The measure also would authorize telemedicine and telepsychology services and set licensing and regulatory requirements for those practitioners.

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. The bill also would establish community service networks, a crisis intervention program and team, a seven-member Behavioral Health Council of the Virgin Islands, and standards for public and private treatment facilities.

Francis chaired the 34th Legislature’s Committee on Health, Hospitals, and Human Services.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-thanks-senator-novelle-francis-for-bringing-forth-the-governors-behavioral-health-legislation/