2026 SESSION
ENROLLED
VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY -- CHAPTER
An Act to amend and reenact § 37.2-311.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to comprehensive crisis system; Marcus alert system; powers and duties of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services related to comprehensive mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disability crisis services; written plan.
[H 453]
Approved
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 37.2-311.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 37.2-311.1 . Comprehensive crisis system; Marcus alert system; powers and duties of the Department related to comprehensive mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disability crisis services.
A. As used in this section and §§ 37.2-311.2 through 37.2-311.6 , unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Community care team" means a team of mental health service providers, and may include registered peer recovery specialists and law-enforcement officers as a team, with the mental health service providers leading such team, to help stabilize individuals in crisis situations. Law enforcement may provide backup support as needed to a community care team in accordance with the protocols and best practices developed pursuant to § 9.1-193 . In addition to serving as a co-response unit, community care teams may, at the discretion of the employing locality, engage in community mental health awareness and services.