Title 37.2, Title 37.2. Behavioral Health and Developmental Services

Any person committed to the custody of the Commissioner pursuant to this chapter who escapes from custody shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony.

Any person placed on conditional release pursuant to this chapter who leaves the Commonwealth without permission from the court that conditionally released the person or fails to return to the Commonwealth in violation of a court order shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony.

A. If a person committed to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, whether in involuntary secure inpatient treatment or on conditional release, who is also on probation, parole, or postrelease supervision, fails to comply with any conditions established b…

In any case in which the Attorney General successfully appeals the trial court's denial of probable cause, denial of civil commitment or conditional release, or discharge or placement on conditional release after an annual review hearing, upon the issuance of the mandate by the C…

A. Prior to the release or discharge of any committed respondent for whom registration with the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry is required pursuant to Chapter 9 (§ 9.1-900 et seq.) of Title 9.1, the Department shall give notice to the committed respondent of his …

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning: "Disorder" includes any physical or mental disorder or impairment, whether caused by injury, disease, genetics, or other cause. "Incapable of making an informed decision" means unable to understand the natu…

A. An appropriate circuit court or district court judge or special justice may authorize treatment for a mental or physical disorder on behalf of an adult person, in accordance with this section, if it finds upon clear and convincing evidence that (i) the person is either incapab…

The following actions may not be authorized under this chapter: 1. Nontherapeutic sterilization, abortion, or psychosurgery. 2. Admission to a training center or a hospital. However, the court may issue an order under § 37.2-1101 authorizing treatment of a person whose admission …

A. Based upon the opinion of a licensed physician that an adult person is incapable of making an informed decision as a result of a physical injury or illness and that the medical standard of care indicates that testing, observation, and treatment are necessary to prevent imminen…

A. The court or, if the court is unavailable, a magistrate serving the jurisdiction where the respondent is located may, with the advice of a licensed physician who has attempted to obtain informed consent of an adult person to treatment of a mental or physical condition, issue a…

Any order of a judge or special justice under § 37.2-1101, or of a judge, special justice or magistrate under § 37.2-1104, may be appealed de novo within 10 days to the circuit court for the jurisdiction where the order was entered, and any order of a circuit court hereunder, eit…

Any licensed health professional or licensed hospital, including a hospital licensed by the Department of Health pursuant to § 32.1-123, administering treatment, or providing testing, or detention pursuant to the court's or magistrate's authorization as provided in this chapter o…

The provisions of § 37.2-804 relating to payment by the Commonwealth shall not apply to the cost of detention, testing, or treatment under this chapter.

A. Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to affect the right to use and the authority conferred by any other applicable statutory or regulatory procedure relating to consent or to diminish any common law authority of a physician or other treatment provider to administer treatme…

A. Petitions and orders for emergency custody and temporary detention pursuant to § 37.2-1103 or 37.2-1104 may be filed, issued, served, or executed by electronic means, with or without the use of two-way electronic video and audio communication, and returned in the same manner w…