VirginiaHB2252026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Marcus Alert Evaluation Task Force; created.

Sponsored By: Patrick A. Hope (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Marcus Alert Evaluation Task Force creation. Requires the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to convene and adjust and update the membership of a Marcus Alert Evaluation Task Force to assist in determining the effectiveness of the Marcus Alert system. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Behavioral Health Commission. This bill is identical to SB 514.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Phased rollout of Marcus Alert statewide

The state rolls out Marcus Alert in phases. Five programs were due by December 1, 2021, and five more by July 1, 2023. For 2023, each region chose the CSB or BHA that serves the most people, unless it was already chosen in 2021. More areas come online by July 1 of 2024, 2025, and 2026. Every CSB/BHA area must have a Marcus Alert system by July 1, 2028.

Planning, task force, and yearly reports

By July 1, 2021, the Department wrote a statewide Marcus Alert plan. It set 9-1-1 diversion rules, law‑enforcement backup agreements, standards, and roles. The Department now convenes a Marcus Alert Evaluation Task Force at least twice a year. Each year by November 15, the Department and the Task Force report to the Governor and lawmakers on programs, calls, injuries, disparities, barriers, and fixes. The Department of Criminal Justice Services helps prepare the report.

Statewide mental health crisis system

The law creates a statewide crisis system for behavioral health. It includes a 24/7 crisis call center, mobile crisis teams, community care teams, and short‑stay crisis centers. The goal is fast, nonhospital care and to divert some 9-1-1 calls away from police when safe. The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services runs this system using best practices. The build‑out depends on available state funding.

Who responds in a mental health crisis

Mobile crisis teams are made up of licensed mental health professionals. Police are not members, but can back them up under set protocols. Community care teams are led by mental health providers. They can include peer recovery specialists and, if the locality chooses, police. All teams must meet statewide quality and safety standards.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Patrick A. Hope

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 218 • No: 1

Senate vote 2/24/2026

Passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/23/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/23/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/20/2026

Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services Block Vote

Yes: 15 • No: 0

House vote 2/9/2026

Read third time and passed House Block Vote

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote 2/3/2026

Reported from Health and Human Services with amendment(s)

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote 1/29/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) and referring to Appropriations

Yes: 7 • No: 1 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0370)

    4/8/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 370 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/8/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/10/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026House
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB225)

    2/26/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB225ER)

    2/26/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    2/26/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    2/26/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    2/26/2026House
  10. Passed Senate Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/24/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    2/24/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/23/2026Senate
  13. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/23/2026Senate
  14. Rules suspended

    2/23/2026Senate
  15. Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services Block Vote (15-Y 0-N)

    2/20/2026Senate
  16. Referred to Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services

    2/10/2026Senate
  17. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/10/2026Senate
  18. Read third time and passed House Block Vote (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/9/2026House
  19. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB225)

    2/9/2026House
  20. Engrossed by House as amended

    2/6/2026House
  21. committee amendment agreed to

    2/6/2026House
  22. Read second time

    2/6/2026House
  23. Read first time

    2/5/2026House
  24. Reported from Health and Human Services with amendment(s) (22-Y 0-N)

    2/3/2026House
  25. House subcommittee offered

    1/29/2026House

Bill Text

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