Signed by Governor Ralph Northam

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report and pass a bill that requires the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to develop a comprehensive crisis service continuum including a crisis call center, mobile crisis teams, crisis stabilization centers, and a MARCUS alert system.

Highlights:

• Requires minimum training standards to be set for law enforcement (Sec.1 ).

• Requires the establishment of Mental Health Awareness Response and Community Understanding alert Systems (MARCUS) to be put in place (Sec. 1).

• Defines the “ MARCUS alert system” as a process in which a call for service to an emergency 911 system is routed to the appropriate service, including calls for service being directed o a community care team (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the goals of the MARCUS alert system will be to (Sec. 1):

• Provide immediate response and services by a registered specially trained mental health service providers;

• Treat the situation as a crisis situation and with dignity;

• Reduce the likelihood of physical confrontation;

• Decrease arrests and use of force incidents and injuries;

• Provide support and assistance for mental health service providers and law-enforcement officers; and

• Provide therapeutic locations and accelerate access to care. 

• Requires the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and the Department of Criminal Justice Services to run a service campaign from July 1, 2021, to January 1, 2022 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that requires the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to develop a comprehensive crisis service continuum including a crisis call center, mobile crisis teams, crisis stabilization centers, and a MARCUS alert system.

Highlights:

• Requires minimum training standards to be set for law enforcement (Sec.1 ).

• Requires the establishment of Mental Health Awareness Response and Community Understanding alert Systems (MARCUS) to be put in place (Sec. 1).

• Defines the “ MARCUS alert system” as a process in which a call for service to an emergency 911 system is routed to the appropriate service, including calls for service being directed o a community care team (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the goals of the MARCUS alert system will be to (Sec. 1):

• Provide immediate response and services by a registered specially trained mental health service providers;

• Treat the situation as a crisis situation and with dignity;

• Reduce the likelihood of physical confrontation;

• Decrease arrests and use of force incidents and injuries;

• Provide support and assistance for mental health service providers and law-enforcement officers; and

• Provide therapeutic locations and accelerate access to care. 

• Requires the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and the Department of Criminal Justice Services to run a service campaign from July 1, 2021, to January 1, 2022 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that requires the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to develop a comprehensive crisis service continuum including a crisis call center, mobile crisis teams, crisis stabilization centers, and a MARCUS alert system.

Highlights:

• Requires minimum training standards to be set for law enforcement (Sec.1 ).

• Requires the establishment of Mental Health Awareness Response and Community Understanding alert Systems (MARCUS) to be put in place (Sec. 1).

• Defines the “ MARCUS alert system” as a process in which a call for service to an emergency 911 system is routed to the appropriate service, including calls for service being directed o a community care team (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the goals of the MARCUS alert system will be to (Sec. 1):

• Provide immediate response and services by a registered specially trained mental health service providers;

• Treat the situation as a crisis situation and with dignity;

• Reduce the likelihood of physical confrontation;

• Decrease arrests and use of force incidents and injuries;

• Provide support and assistance for mental health service providers and law-enforcement officers; and

• Provide therapeutic locations and accelerate access to care. 

• Requires the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and the Department of Criminal Justice Services to run a service campaign from July 1, 2021, to January 1, 2022 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text