SB 1064 — Mental health awareness training; law enforcement officers, firefighters, etc.

SESSION history | hilite | pdf | print version 17101027D17104652D SENATE BILL NO.

1064 OfferedAMENDMENT JanuaryIN 11,THE 2017NATURE PrefiledOF A SUBSTITUTE (Proposed by the Senate Committee on Finance on January 6,25, 20172017) (Patron Prior to Substitute--Senator Deeds) A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 9.1-102 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 27 a section numbered 27-23.1127-23.11, and by adding a section numbered 37.2-312.3, relating to mental health awareness training;

---------- Patrons-- Deeds, Ebbin and McClellan ---------- Referred to Committee on Education and Health ---------- Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

That §§ 9.1-102 and 32.1-111.4 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 27 a section numbered 27-23.11 and by adding a section numbered 37.2-312.3 as follows:

Establish compulsory training standards for basic training and the recertification of law-enforcement officers to ensure (i) sensitivity to and awareness of cultural diversity and the potential for biased policing and (ii) participation in a mental health awareness program createdthat orincludes certifiedtraining byregarding the Departmentfollowing: of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services pursuant to § 37.2-312.3;

a.

Understanding signs and symptoms of cumulative stress, depression, anxiety, exposure to acute and chronic trauma, compulsive behaviors, and addiction;

b.

Combating and overcoming stigmas;

c.

Accessing available mental health treatments and resources;

and d.

Responding appropriately to aggressive behaviors such as domestic violence and harassment;

All firefighters other than volunteer firefighters as defined in § 27-42 shall biennially participate in a mental health awareness program created or certified by the Mental Health Work Group, established in the Virginia Department of BehavioralFire HealthPrograms, andthat Developmentalincludes Servicestraining pursuantregarding tothe §following: 37.2-312.3.

a.

Understanding signs and symptoms of cumulative stress, depression, anxiety, exposure to acute and chronic trauma, compulsive behaviors, and addiction;

b.

Combating and overcoming stigmas;

c.

Accessing available mental health treatments and resources;

and d.

Responding appropriately to aggressive behaviors such as domestic violence and harassment.

Requirements, developed in consultation with the Advisory Board, governing the training, certification, and recertification of emergency medical services personnel, which shall include biennial participation in a mental health awareness program createddescribed orin certified by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services pursuant to § 37.2-312.3;27-23.11;

§ 37.2-312.3.

Emergency services mental health awareness training.

A.

The Department shall establish and administer a mental health awareness training program for law-enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel on how to recognize potential mental health issues and assist themselves or members of the emergency services community with mental health issues.

Such program shall include training on:

1.

Understanding signs and symptoms of cumulative stress, depression, anxiety, exposure to acute and chronic trauma, compulsive behaviors, and addiction;

2.

Combatting and overcoming stigmas;

3.

Accessing available mental health treatments and resources;

4.

Appropriate responses to aggressive behaviors such as domestic violence and harassment;

and 5.

Utilizing employee assistance programs.

B.

Any person shall be eligible to participate in such program.