The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:

Terms Used In Virginia Code 30-405

  • Behavioral health: means the full range of mental health and substance abuse services. See Virginia Code 30-401
  • Commission: means the Behavioral Health Commission. See Virginia Code 30-401
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Process: includes subpoenas, the summons and complaint in a civil action, and process in statutory actions. See Virginia Code 1-237

1. To collect and analyze information and data necessary to accomplish the purpose set forth in § 30-402;

2. To monitor and evaluate the jurisdiction, powers and duties, operations, management, and interrelationships of any department, division, board, bureau, commission, authority, or other agency with direct responsibility for the delivery, coordination, management, or financing of behavioral health services in the Commonwealth and develop recommendations for the improvement thereof;

3. To monitor and evaluate the design, implementation, and operation of new behavioral health initiatives in the Commonwealth and develop recommendations for the improvement thereof;

4. To examine matters related to the delivery of behavioral health services in other states and to consult and exchange information with officers and agencies of other states with respect to behavioral health service issues of mutual concern;

5. To maintain offices and hold meetings and functions at any place in the Commonwealth that it deems necessary;

6. To invite other interested parties to sit with the Commission and participate in its deliberations;

7. To appoint any work group or special task force from among its members to study and make recommendations on specific matters before the Commission;

8. To implement a process to solicit and receive input from (i) individuals who are currently receiving or have received behavioral health services or (ii) individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities or autism spectrum disorders or the family members of such individuals to inform the work of the Commission; and

9. To report its recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor annually and to make such interim reports as it deems advisable or as may be required by the General Assembly and the Governor.

2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 313; 2023, c. 481.