February 13, 2019 – Legislative Highlights

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2019 Virginia General Assembly
Legislative Highlights
February 13, 2019

Here’s the latest on some bills that would address the fate of Virginia’s training centers for people with intellectual disabilities:

SB 1071 (Peake) prohibits the closure of Central Virginia Training Center.  The bill had a substantial fiscal impact.  The bill was passed by indefinitely by Senate Finance.

SB 1072 (Peake) seeks to change the definition of a “training center” in Virginia. The purpose of the bill was to prohibit the Department of Behavioral Health from being able to transfer someone to Hiram Davis Medical Center in order to receive medical care.  The bill has a substantial fiscal impact.  The bill was approved by the Senate and by the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions, but a subcommittee of House Appropriations voted for it to pass by indefinitely

HB 1951 (Campbell) instructs the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to use Southwest Virginia Training Center as either a facility for children in foster care or as a juvenile treatment facility.  The bill was left in the House Committee on Appropriations, and therefore defeated.  But see SB 1509 below.

SB 1509 (Carrico) instructs the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to use Southwest Virginia Training Center as either a facility for children in foster care or as a juvenile treatment facility.  The bill was approved by the Senate, but amended in House Appropriations. The bill now prohibits the sale of SWVTC without further approval from the General Assembly, but instructs the Department to work with local jurisdictions to develop a plan for the property.  The substitute will be on its third reading in the House today.  It must then return to the Senate for approval of the amendments.

The mission of the disAbility Law Center of Virginia is to advance independence, choice and self-determination; protect legal, human and civil rights; and eliminate abuse, neglect and discrimination of people with disabilities through zealous and uncompromising legal advocacy and representation.  We monitor developments in the legislature that may be of interest to people with disabilities.  We are available to educate policy makers about the potential impact of legislative proposals.  Please let us know of any legislative proposals or budget issues that you think we should be following.  Contact us at info@dlcv.org or by calling 1-800-552-3962 or 804-225-2042.