VirginiaSB5132026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

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

Sponsored By: R. Creigh Deeds (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 HB 453.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Marcus Alert expands statewide by 2028

By December 1, 2021 the state establishes five Marcus Alert programs, one per region, with community care or mobile crisis teams. By July 1, 2023 it adds five more, choosing CSBs or BHAs that serve the largest populations and not repeating 2021 sites. The state continues adding systems by July 1, 2024, July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2026. By July 1, 2028 every CSB or BHA area has a Marcus Alert system using a community care or mobile crisis team.

Clinician-led crisis teams, limited police role

Community care teams are led by mental health providers. They may include peer recovery specialists and law-enforcement officers, with police support following § 9.1-193 protocols. Mobile crisis teams are made up of qualified or licensed mental health professionals and may include a peer or family support partner. Police are not members of mobile teams; they only provide backup under set protocols. All community care and mobile crisis teams must meet the standards in § 37.2-311.3.

Marcus Alert plan and public input

By July 1, 2021, the Department develops a written Marcus Alert plan with partner agencies and stakeholders. The plan lists crisis resources and funding, reviews crisis needs, and sets 911 diversion and police backup protocols. It assigns roles, standards, and equity measures. Any plan changes require stakeholder consultation and at least 30 days of public comment before finalization.

Statewide crisis system for mental health help

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services builds a statewide crisis system. It includes a crisis call center, community care and mobile crisis teams, crisis stabilization centers, and the Marcus Alert system. Work happens as funding is appropriated.

Stronger standards for crisis hotlines

Crisis call centers in this system must meet § 37.2-311.2 and National Suicide Prevention Lifeline standards. These rules cover risk checks and how staff engage callers.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • R. Creigh Deeds

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 228 • No: 0

House vote 2/25/2026

Passed House

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote 2/19/2026

Reported from Health and Human Services

Yes: 21 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/4/2026

Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/3/2026

Rehabilitation and Social Services Amendment agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/2/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/2/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/30/2026

Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services with amendment

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/22/2026

Rereferred from Education and Health to Rehabilitation and Social Services

Yes: 14 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0823)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 823 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  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

    3/10/2026Senate
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB513)

    2/27/2026Senate
  6. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB513ER)

    2/27/2026Senate
  7. Enrolled

    2/27/2026Senate
  8. Signed by President

    2/27/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    2/27/2026House
  10. Passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/25/2026House
  11. Read third time

    2/25/2026House
  12. Passed by for the day

    2/24/2026House
  13. Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar

    2/24/2026House
  14. Read second time

    2/23/2026House
  15. Reported from Health and Human Services (21-Y 0-N)

    2/19/2026House
  16. Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services

    2/9/2026House
  17. Read first time

    2/9/2026House
  18. Placed on Calendar

    2/9/2026House
  19. Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/4/2026Senate
  20. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB513)

    2/3/2026Senate
  21. Rehabilitation and Social Services Amendment agreed to

    2/3/2026Senate
  22. Engrossed by Senate as amended Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/3/2026Senate
  23. Read second time

    2/3/2026Senate
  24. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/2/2026Senate
  25. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/2/2026Senate

Bill Text

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