RD284 - Item 319.A.3. – Progress Report on the Plan for the Housing of Additional Individuals Committed for Treatment at the Virginia Center for Behavioral Rehabilitation - October 25, 2011


Executive Summary:
Item 319.A.3 of the 2011 Appropriation Act requires the Commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) to submit a quarterly report on the plan to house additional individuals committed for treatment to the Virginia Center for Behavior Rehabilitation (VCBR). The language is outlined below:

"A.1. The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) shall implement a plan to accommodate additional sexually violent predators committed to the Virginia Center for Behavioral Rehabilitation (VCBR). Such plan may include double-bunking dormitory-style, repurposing existing space, or the addition of new housing units at the current VCBR site. The department shall not reopen a temporary facility for the housing, confinement and treatment of civilly committed sexually violent predators at the Southside Virginia Training Center in Dinwiddie County. Further, the department shall not undertake a capital project to expand or construct additional units or facilities at a new site for the housing, confinement and treatment of these individuals until a comprehensive review of the current program for the civil commitment of sexually violent predators is completed. The Department of Corrections shall assist DBHDS in developing the plan to accommodate additional capacity and shall provide risk assessment data of the affected population. The department may make necessary capital renovations to the facility in Nottoway County to accommodate the increased capacity in order to ensure resident safety.

2. In the event that services are not available in Virginia to address the specific needs of an individual committed for treatment at the VCBR or conditionally released, or additional capacity cannot be met at the VCBR, the Commissioner is authorized to seek such services from another state.

3. Beginning on July 1, 2011, the department shall provide quarterly reports to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees on the plan for the housing of additional individual committed for treatment."

The 2011 Appropriation Act also requires:

"C-76.15 Life Safety Code and Major Mechanical Repairs: In furtherance of the provisions of Item 319 pertaining to the Virginia Center for Behavioral Rehabilitation in Nottoway County, the Secretary of Finance is authorized to transfer an amount not to exceed $7,000,000 of the appropriation of Virginia Public Building Authority bond funds for project 17596 to a new separate subproject to be used to address capital costs related to the increased capacity, including equipment, furnishings, and renovations. With the cooperation and support of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, the Department of General Services is authorized to manage such funds transferred by the Secretary of Finance."