The Virginia General Assembly’s 2025 regular session is nearing its close, with adjournment set for Saturday, February 22, 2025. Thanks to your unwavering advocacy and involvement, several key bills supported by Vocal Virginia have passed both chambers and are now awaiting the Governor’s signature. There’s still time to make your voice heard—contact the Governor’s office today to encourage him to sign the bills we believe will make a meaningful impact. Your continued support is crucial in bringing these important changes to fruition! You may contact the Governor’s office by clicking here.
There have been a number of bills this session focused on the decriminalization of mental health challenges. For example, Delegate Watts’s HB1713 (to view, click here) would allow qualified individuals with certain felony convictions to participate in Behavioral Health Dockets supervised by the General District Courts. This bill has passed the House and the Senate and is currently awaiting action by the Governor. Further, Senator Boysko’s SB1013, (to view, click here) which provides an affirmative defense to prosecution of an individual for assault or assault and battery against certain specified persons for which the enhanced Class 6 felony and six-month mandatory minimum apply if such individual proves, by a preponderance of the evidence, that at the time of the assault or assault and battery the individual's behaviors were a result of mental illness. This bill has passed the House and the Senate and will be sent to the Governor’s office in the coming days.
Delegate Watts sponsored HB1712 (to view, click here). This legislation states that law enforcement is not required to arrest individuals who are currently subject to an emergency custody order or temporary detention order until the order expires. The bill also provides for training to law enforcement officers and agencies on this subject. This legislation passed the House and was amended in the Senate Courts of Justice Committee. Thus, the legislation is currently in a conference committee of Members from both the House and Senate who are responsible for working out the details of the legislation. Another bill that Vocal Virginia is advocating for that has passed both the House and Senate and is awaiting action by the Governor is Delegate Callsen’s HB1877 (to view, click here). This legislation allows otherwise qualified individuals with outstanding court costs, fees, and restitution to be screened for employment as peer recovery specialists at the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services licensed facilities.
Thank you again for your advocacy and engagement over the past two months. Your voice and the time you have taken to communicate with your legislators is making a difference in the mental health community throughout Virginia. Vocal Virginia is grateful to you for taking the time to share your thoughts and concerns and for your unwavering support of mental health recovery. Please feel free to communicate with Vocal Virginia any time. You may email us at network@vocalvirginia.org.
Vocal Virginia is grateful for your continued advocacy. If you are interested in learning more about pending legislation or signing up to for virtual or written comments, please explore Virginia’s Legislative Information System, which may be visited here. You may see Vocal Virginia’s full list of bills that we are monitoring here.
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