SD36 - Site Selection of Residential Facilities for Mentally Disabled

  • Published: 1990
  • Author: Joint Subcommittee
  • Enabling Authority: Senate Joint Resolution 220 (Regular Session, 1989)

Executive Summary:
The Joint Subcommittee was established by Senate Joint Resolution 220 of the 1989 General Assembly. At the initial meeting Senator Joseph V. Gartlan, Jr. of Fairfax was elected chairman and Delegate Mitchell Van Yahres of Charlottesville was elected vice-chairman. Other legislative members of the Joint Subcommittee included Senators Yvonne B. Miller of Norfolk and Emilie Miller of Fairfax and Delegates Mary A. Marshall of Arlington, Kenneth R. Melvin of Portsmouth, and E. Hatcher Crenshaw, Jr., of Richmond. Four citizen members were appointed by the Governor. Locally elected officials were represented by Aubrey E. Brown of Abingdon, a member of the Lynchburg City Council. Citizen members were Janet C. Alley of Chesterfield County and Barbara J. Fried of Fairfax County.

Senate Joint Resolution 220 gave the Joint Subcommittee a broad charge to "study methods of site selection of community residences for the mentally disabled, juveniles, substance abusers and others who require treatment which includes assimilation into the community." At the initial meeting the Joint Subcommittee determined that the clear intent of SJR 220 was that the study focus primarily upon the siting of group homes and other residential facilities for the mentally disabled.

The Joint Subcommittee also agreed that it would accept evidence and testimony, if offered, relating to the siting of community group homes or other residential care facilities which are part of correctional programs and facilities for juveniles under the Division of Youth Services of the Department of Corrections. The Joint Subcommittee would not initially focus on these programs, however. No presentations were offered on these topics during the hearings, thereby suggesting that the panel need not address this area. Neither the residential community diversion programs for adult offenders nor the system of half-way houses for parolees and probationers under the Department of Corrections was deemed within the scope of the resolution.

Following its initial meeting on July 27, the Joint Subcommittee held public hearings in Fairfax on August 25 and Norfolk on October 2. The Subcommittee also received testimony at a final meeting held in Richmond on October 30.