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2012 SESSION

12101259D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 18
Offered January 11, 2012
Prefiled January 3, 2012
Directing the Joint Commission on Health Care to study availability of community-based mental health services for individuals transitioning from state hospitals to community-based care. Report.
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Patron-- O'Bannon
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, in Virginia, eight state hospitals operated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services provide highly structured intensive inpatient services including psychiatric, psychological, psychosocial rehabilitation, nursing, support, and ancillary services for adults with mental illness; and

WHEREAS, as of October 2011, a total of 1,319 adults were receiving services in state hospitals for individuals with mental illness; and

WHEREAS, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness Virginia, approximately 10 percent of adults receiving services in state hospitals are ready for discharge as determined by state hospital treatment teams and community services board staff but are unable to transition from state hospitals to less restrictive settings due to a lack of sufficient community-based services; and

WHEREAS, it is the goal of the Commonwealth to provide a consumer-driven system of services and supports that promotes self-determination, empowerment, recovery, resilience, health, and the highest possible level of consumer participation in all aspects of community life, including work, school, family and other meaningful relationships; and

WHEREAS, enabling individuals with mental illness currently receiving services in state hospitals to transition from state hospitals and inpatient facilities to community-based settings and community-based services is a fundamental part of achieving that goal; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Joint Commission on Health Care be directed to study the availability of community-based mental health services for individuals transitioning from state hospitals to community-based care.

In conducting its study, the Joint Commission on Health Care shall (i) determine the number of adults receiving services in state hospitals who are ready for discharge as determined by their treatment care team and community services board staff but who continue to receive services in state hospitals due to a lack of appropriate community-based services; (ii) evaluate the availability of community-based services for individuals transitioning from state hospitals and other mental health facilities to the community to identify gaps in services and service needs; (iii) develop recommendations for addressing service gaps and service needs to facilitate the transition of individuals from state hospitals and other mental health facilities to community settings; and (iv) determine the cost of addressing service gaps and service needs and the potential savings to the Commonwealth resulting from the transition of individuals from state hospitals to community-based services.

Technical assistance shall be provided to the Joint Commission on Health Care by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Commission for this study, upon request.

The Joint Commission on Health Care shall complete its meetings for the first year by November 30, 2012, and for the second year by November 30, 2013, and the chairman shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the next Regular Session of the General Assembly for each year. Each executive summary shall state whether the Joint Commission on Health Care intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summaries and reports shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.