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2008 SESSION

082519476
HOUSE BILL NO. 475
Offered January 9, 2008
Prefiled January 7, 2008
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 2.2-2001.1, relating to the Department of Veterans Services; mental health and rehabilitative services.
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Patrons-- Cox, Abbitt, Albo, Armstrong, Athey, BaCote, Barlow, Bell, Bouchard, Bowling, Brink, Byron, Carrico, Cole, Cosgrove, Crockett-Stark, Dance, Eisenberg, Englin, Gear, Gilbert, Hall, Hamilton, Hargrove, Howell, A.T., Howell, W.J., Hull, Iaquinto, Ingram, Janis, Johnson, Jones, S.C., Kilgore, Lewis, Lingamfelter, Lohr, Loupassi, Marsden, Marshall, D.W., Marshall, R.G., Massie, May, Merricks, Miller, J.H., Moran, Morgan, Nixon, Nutter, O'Bannon, Oder, Plum, Poindexter, Purkey, Putney, Rust, Scott, E.T., Sherwood, Shuler, Suit, Tata, Tyler, Valentine, Ward, Ware, O., Ware, R.L., Watts and Wright; Senators: Barker, Blevins, Deeds, Edwards, Hanger, Houck, Locke, Martin, McDougle, McEachin, Quayle, Ruff, Stosch, Ticer and Wagner
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Referred to Committee on General Laws
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 2.2-2001.1 as follows:

§ 2.2-2001.1. Program for mental health and rehabilitative services.

The Department, in cooperation with the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services and the Department of Rehabilitative Services, shall establish a program to monitor and coordinate mental health and rehabilitative services support for Virginia veterans, and members of the Virginia National Guard and Virginia residents in the Armed Forces Reserves not in active federal service. The program shall also support family members affected by covered military members’ service and deployments. The purpose of the program is to ensure that adequate and timely assessment, treatment, and support are available to veterans, service members, and affected family members.

The program shall ensure that covered individuals are provided timely assessment and treatment for stress-related injuries and brain disorders resulting from service in combat areas, and subject to the availability of funds appropriated for them, case management services, inpatient, outpatient, family support, and other appropriate mental health and brain injury services necessary to provide individual services and support to military service members and their family members covered by this section.