Criminal defendants; evaluation for insanity or competence. (HB582)

--Bill discounts training/experience not part of VA Beh. Health Commission, Sort of like saying an attorney cannot practice in VA, despite passing bar exam, if he/she did not attend W&M law school

--requiring redacted reports sent for "peer review" by Commission--the same commission that grants status for forensic evals.--essentially inhibits any criticism of state hospital conclusions. So, if CSH, for example, says a patient who is openly psychotic is competent to stand trial one would put job status at risk to say otherwise (and this is not at all an unusual circumstance)

--redacted reports will violate confidentiality especially in high profile cases. Imaging a politician evaluated after a DUI charge. You can take away name and SS# but all reading will know who is be referred to and, in reading a report, gain access to confidential info. they should not have that could limit that politician in future.

--the bill essentially allows the state to further encroach on individual rights and adds another level of bureaucracy All psychologists already follow ethical guidelines to practice within their level of training and expertise. It further forces well-trained psychologists, albeit trained outside Commission of BH, to either pay high rates for unneeded training or have to grovel before them to gain licensure for something they are already trained to do well. And, again, it effectively limits criticism of aspects of the state mental health system. This is not a bill I would have all expected to have been authored by a Republican.