VirginiaHB4532026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Comprehensive mental health, substance abuse, & developmt. disability crisis services; written plan.

Sponsored By: Rodney T. Willett (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Comprehensive crisis system; Marcus alert system; Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; comprehensive mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disability crisis services; written plan. Allows the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, in collaboration with the Department of Criminal Justice Services, to amend the written plan created pursuant to relevant law after the publication of such written plan, provided that (i) the stakeholders listed in relevant law are consulted during the development of any new language to be added to such written plan and (ii) a public comment period of no less than 30 days is held prior to the finalization of such written plan. The bill also provides that the written plan shall serve as the operational framework for relevant components of the comprehensive crisis system and the Marcus alert system and that state agencies and local implementing partners shall align their policies, procedures, and operations on an ongoing basis with the requirements and guidance set forth in the written plan, as amended. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Behavioral Health Commission. This bill is identical to SB 513.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Marcus alert coverage expands by 2028

By December 1, 2021, the state set up five Marcus alert programs, one in each region. By July 1, 2023, it added five more in the largest-population service areas not already chosen. The Department keeps adding programs by July 1, 2024; July 1, 2025; and July 1, 2026. By July 1, 2028, every community services board or behavioral health authority area has a Marcus alert system with community care or mobile crisis teams.

Statewide behavioral crisis care system

The law creates a statewide crisis response for mental health, substance use, and developmental disability needs. The state runs crisis call centers that meet national standards and link with 9-1-1 to divert calls. It sends community care or mobile crisis teams for same-day help and uses short-stay crisis centers for under 24 hours. Teams must meet state standards, and police serve only as backup under Marcus alert rules. Services run as funds are appropriated.

Marcus alert plan and updates

The law required DBHDS, with criminal justice and community stakeholders, to develop a written Marcus alert plan by July 1, 2021. The plan sets how 9-1-1 calls divert to crisis centers, how teams are dispatched, and how police back up clinical teams. It reviews current crisis teams, funding, and needs, and checks service in disadvantaged communities. DBHDS can update the plan after consulting stakeholders and taking at least 30 days of public comment. State and local agencies must align their policies and operations with the plan.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Rodney T. Willett

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 237 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/3/2026

Passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/27/2026

Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services Block Vote

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/19/2026

Rereferred from Education and Health to Rehabilitation and Social Services

Yes: 14 • No: 0

House vote 2/2/2026

Read third time and passed House Block Vote

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote 1/27/2026

Reported from Health and Human Services with amendment(s)

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote 1/22/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s)

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0797)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 797 (effective 7/1/2026)

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

    3/14/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026

    3/14/2026House
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB453)

    3/10/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB453ER)

    3/10/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/10/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/10/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/10/2026House
  10. Passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/3/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    3/3/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/2/2026Senate
  13. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/2/2026Senate
  14. Rules suspended

    3/2/2026Senate
  15. Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services Block Vote (15-Y 0-N)

    2/27/2026Senate
  16. Rereferred from Education and Health to Rehabilitation and Social Services (14-Y 0-N)

    2/19/2026Senate
  17. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB453)

    2/3/2026House
  18. Referred to Committee on Education and Health

    2/3/2026Senate
  19. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/3/2026Senate
  20. Read third time and passed House Block Vote (99-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/2/2026House
  21. Engrossed by House as amended

    1/30/2026House
  22. committee amendment agreed to

    1/30/2026House
  23. Read second time

    1/30/2026House
  24. Read first time

    1/29/2026House
  25. Reported from Health and Human Services with amendment(s) (22-Y 0-N)

    1/27/2026House

Bill Text

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