First responders; mental health education and training. (HB1222)
Introduced By
Del. Vivian Watts (D-Annandale) with support from co-patron Sen. Jennifer McClellan (D-Richmond)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✓ |
Passed Committee |
✓ |
Passed House |
✓ |
Passed Senate |
✓ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Mental health education and training for first responders. Directs the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to develop and implement a program of education and training for local law-enforcement personnel, emergency medical services personnel, and other first responders that addresses the signs and symptoms of mental illness and ways law-enforcement personnel, emergency medical services personnel, and other first responders can assist individuals experiencing mental health crises. Read the Bill »
Outcome
Bill Has Passed
History
Date | Action |
---|---|
01/17/2014 | Committee |
01/17/2014 | Presented and ordered printed 14103259D |
01/17/2014 | Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice |
01/21/2014 | Assigned Courts sub: Mental Health |
01/29/2014 | Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (10-Y 0-N) |
02/03/2014 | Committee substitute printed 14104597D-H1 |
02/03/2014 | Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (22-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
02/05/2014 | Read first time |
02/06/2014 | Passed by until Monday, February 10, 2014 |
02/10/2014 | Read second time |
02/10/2014 | Committee substitute agreed to 14104597D-H1 |
02/10/2014 | Engrossed by House - committee substitute HB1222H1 |
02/11/2014 | Read third time and passed House BLOCK VOTE (99-Y 0-N) |
02/11/2014 | VOTE: BLOCK VOTE PASSAGE (99-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
02/12/2014 | Constitutional reading dispensed |
02/12/2014 | Referred to Committee on Rules |
02/21/2014 | Reported from Rules with substitute (15-Y 0-N) |
02/21/2014 | Committee substitute printed 14105246D-S1 |
02/24/2014 | Impact statement from DPB (HB1222H1) |
02/24/2014 | Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N) |
02/25/2014 | Read third time |
02/25/2014 | Reading of substitute waived |
02/25/2014 | Committee substitute agreed to 14105246D-S1 |
02/25/2014 | Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute HB1222S1 |
02/25/2014 | Passed Senate with substitute (40-Y 0-N) |
02/26/2014 | Placed on Calendar |
02/27/2014 | Senate substitute agreed to by House 14105246D-S1 (98-Y 0-N) |
02/27/2014 | VOTE: ADOPTION (98-Y 0-N) (see vote tally) |
03/04/2014 | Enrolled |
03/04/2014 | Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1222ER) |
03/04/2014 | Signed by Speaker |
03/07/2014 | Signed by President |
03/07/2014 | Impact statement from DPB (HB1222ER) |
04/04/2014 | G Approved by Governor-Chapter 601 (effective 7/1/14) |
04/04/2014 | G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0601) |
Comments
This could be one of the biggest expense saving bills to hit the books in a while as far as I am concerned. Having personnel trained to manage the situation will reduce the number of responders required to be there. It will help to prevent needless trips to an emergency room when there is not a true medical emergency. Additionally, it will help to insure that people are getting the RIGHT treatment for their situation, not being bounced from agency to agency, where they could get lost in the shuffle. Over the years, I have worked as an EMT, a Paramedic, a Child Abuse Investigator, and a Counselor in a Forensic Mental Health Facility. All of that experience tells me that this is a great opportunity to both save taxpayer money, increase public safety, and provide the most appropriate care as quickly as possible for patients. The only concern I would have would be in the development, quality, and implementation of training (including ongoing updates and reviews). If passed, it would be the training that causes problems, not the intent of the law.