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2023 SESSION

23103790D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 484
Offered January 11, 2023
Prefiled January 7, 2023
Establishing a joint subcommittee to study the effect of the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on mass casualty events. Report.
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Patrons-- Anderson and Simon
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram, and escitalopram are among the most widely prescribed antidepressant medications; and

WHEREAS, 34 U.S.C. § 10281(o)(1) defines a "mass casualty event" as "an incident resulting in casualties to not fewer than three victims, including (i) an incident that exceeds the normal resources for emergency response available in the jurisdiction where the incident takes place; and (ii) an incident that results in a sudden and timely surge of injured individuals necessitating emergency services" and defines a "mass fatality event" as "an incident resulting in the fatalities of not fewer than three individuals at one or more locations close to one another with a common cause"; and

WHEREAS, the discourse after the occurrence of a mass casualty event or mass fatality event frequently includes discussion of the status of the perpetrator's or perpetrators' mental health; and

WHEREAS, studies have shown that there may be a connection between the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and violent behavior, especially in persons between the ages of 18 and 24; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to study the effect of the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on mass casualty events. The joint subcommittee shall have a total membership of eight members that shall consist of five legislative members, two nonlegislative citizen members, and one ex officio member. Members shall be appointed as follows: three members of the House of Delegates to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates; two members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; one nonlegislative citizen member to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; and one nonlegislative citizen member to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules. The Commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services or his designee shall serve ex officio with nonvoting privileges. Nonlegislative citizen members of the joint subcommittee shall be citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Unless otherwise approved in writing by the chairman of the joint subcommittee and the respective Clerk, nonlegislative citizen members shall only be reimbursed for travel originating and ending within the Commonwealth of Virginia for the purpose of attending meetings. If a companion joint resolution of the other chamber is agreed to, written authorization of both Clerks shall be required. The joint subcommittee shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its membership, who shall be members of the General Assembly.

In conducting its study, the joint subcommittee shall examine the causal links, if any, to the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on violent behavior and the commission of violent crimes, including mass casualty events or mass fatality events that have occurred in the Commonwealth, and shall develop recommendations related to the prevention of such behavior or crimes.

Administrative staff support and technical assistance shall be provided by the Office of the Clerk of the House of Delegates. Legal, research, policy analysis, and other services as requested by the joint subcommittee shall be provided by the Division of Legislative Services. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee for this study, upon request.

The joint subcommittee shall be limited to four meetings for the 2023 interim and four meetings for the 2024 interim, and the direct costs of this study shall not exceed $11,800 for each year without approval as set out in this resolution. Approval for unbudgeted nonmember-related expenses shall require the written authorization of the chairman of the joint subcommittee and the respective Clerk. If a companion joint resolution of the other chamber is agreed to, written authorization of both Clerks shall be required.

The joint subcommittee shall complete its meetings for the first year by November 30, 2023, and for the second year by August 31, 2024, 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 subcommittee 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.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may approve or disapprove expenditures for this study, extend or delay the period for the conduct of the study, or authorize additional meetings during the 2023 and 2024 interims.