Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (720)

306 (language only)

A. It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services proceed in transforming its system of care into a model that embodies best practices and state-of-the art services.  The consumer-driven system of services and supports shall promote self-determination, empowerment, recovery, resilience, health, and the highest possible level of consumer participation in all aspects of community life. The transformed system shall include investments in a suitable array and adequate quantity of community-based services, with an emphasis on consumer choice and the appropriate use of facility resources. State facilities shall be redesigned to ensure high quality care, efficient operation, and capacity necessary for persons most in need of such care. Amounts authorized herein, and in related legislation, shall be used to support the transformation of the system of care and to promote the provision of behavioral health and developmental services in the most efficient and appropriate setting.  The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services may consider the use of public-private partnerships to deliver behavioral health and intellectual disability services as part of the comprehensive behavioral health and intellectual disability system of care, in facilities that are being planned for renovation or replacement.   These partnerships may include contracts with private entities for facility operations, unless the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services can demonstrate that continued state operation of the facility is at least as cost effective and provides at least an equivalent or higher level quality care than operation by a private entity.

B. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, on July 1, of each year, the State Comptroller shall transfer to the general fund any nongeneral fund balance accumulated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, except for federal grant funds, in excess of $30,000,000.

C.  Notwithstanding § 4-5.12, § 4-5.09 of this Act and paragraph C. of § 2.2-1156, Code of Virginia, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services is hereby authorized to deposit the entire proceeds of the sales of surplus land at state-owned behavioral health and intellectual disability facilities into a revolving trust fund. The trust fund may initially be used for expenses associated with restructuring such facilities. Remaining proceeds after such expenses shall be dedicated to continuing services for current patients as facility services are restructured. The trust fund will receive any savings resulting from facility restructuring. Thereafter, the fund will be used to enhance services to individuals with mental illness, intellectual disability and substance abuse problems.

D. Any funds appropriated in this Act for the purpose of complying with the settlement agreement with the United States Department of Justice pursuant to civil action no: 3:12cv059-JAG that remain unspent at the end of the fiscal year may be carried forward into the subsequent fiscal year in order to continue implementation of the agreement’s requirements.