Virginia Senate committee reports a package of elections and redistricting bills, including change for civilly committed behavioral health residents A Senate committee reported several elections-related bills. Senate Bill 88 would count people civilly committed to state behavioral health facilities at their last known residential address for redistricting; the committee reported SB88 20-0 and advanced six other bills with recorded votes.

Virginia's Senate committee just voted unanimously to change how civilly committed residents are counted for redistricting, aiming to enhance local representation!

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#VA #CivicAccountability #RedistrictingReform #CitizenPortal #VirginiaBehavioralHealth #VotingRights

Virginia behavioral‑health commissioner previews crisis expansion, outpatient restoration bill and facility shifts Darryl Washington, commissioner of DBHDS, told the subcommittee the state has scaled mobile crisis teams and aims to expand crisis receiving centers, is pursuing outpatient restoration for some misdemeanor cases to reduce hospital stays, and is considering closure and re‑use options for Hiram Davis with an estimated $170 million savings.

Virginia is on the fast track to revolutionizing crisis services, scaling mobile teams, and planning significant facility changes while saving an estimated $170 million.

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#VA #CrisisTransformation #OutpatientRestoration #CitizenPortal #CommunityPlacement #VirginiaBehavioralHealth

Virginia Board of Pharmacy to regulate psilocybin for severe depression treatment Senate bill directs pharmacy board to expedite psilocybin access after FDA approval.

Virginia lawmakers are racing to regulate psilocybin for severe depression, potentially offering new hope to those battling drug-resistant mental health issues.

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#VA #RegulatoryOversight #VirginiaBehavioralHealth #CitizenPortal #MentalHealthAccess