Public Comments for 02/03/2022 Unknown Committee/Subcommittee
HB618 - Barrier crimes; possession of controlled substances.
I would like to speak-AMY Lee Story
I would like to speak please -Amy Lee Story
Mental Health America of Virgina strongly supports efforts to revise the Barrier Crimes statutes to give behavioral health agencies the opportunity to hire otherwise qualified staff when their criminal history has no bearing on public or individual safety if hired. The behavioral health workforce in Virginia has been understaffed for several years, and is now in a crisis situation, with long waitnig lists and denied care for many individuals with mental illness or substance use disorders. Direct service providers have great needs to fill positions and these out of date statutes prevent them from serving many people in need. The current statutes have a particularly disqualifying impact on peer recovery specialists, whose qualifications for the job include their own journey of recovery from addiction or mental illness, along with the training and certification to prepare them to help those seeking treatment and recovery for similar challenges.
HB663 - Mandatory outpatient treatment; reorganizes and clarifies provisions governing.
We believe that this bill provides for the same transparency afforded to every other DBHDS facility, I know of many instances at VCBR which haven't been reported.
I am writing in support of HB 306 to be heard in committee tomorrow morning, which will allow a religious exemption to vaccines during an epidemic. Religious exemptions exist so that citizens can act freely in mind, body and spirit. Even in a time of an epidemic, citizens must have the opportunity to act on their conscience whatever that may be. The Nuremberg Code requires bodily autonomy and informed consent for any medical treatments to one’s body. Having religious exemption makes sure that remains the rule of law. As we’ve seen over the last two years, government has retained control over persons and their bodies in a way that would make Thomas Jefferson role over in his grave. Let Virginia continue to be religiously free, as the birthplace of religious freedom. Support HB 306.
I would like to speak-AMY Lee Story
I would like to speak please -Amy Lee Story
Good Evening Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, My name is Kathy Harkey and I am the Executive Director of NAMI Virginia which is the National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI Virginia fully supports HB663 as the bill reorganizes statutory language without making substantive changes. The restructuring provides clarity of provisions and the changes are user-friendly. Respectfully.
Treatment Advocacy Center supports passage of HB663 as a helpful reorganization of existing law to aid in the implementation of MOT in Virginia, as contemplated during the last session.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and Committee Members, and for the opportunity to speak regarding proposed revisions to 37.2-817 Mandatory Outpatient Treatment. The proposed revisions are timely given the recent tragic events at Bridgewater College which, sadly, echo memory of similar tragic events 15 years ago at Virginia Tech and involving another disturbed young male with a history of SMI.. I am a licensed clinical psychologist and independent examiner for the Virginia Supreme Court with over 15 years of experience with "at risk" populations. My years of experience date back 15 years to the time of the McGarvey Report by the Virginia School of Medicine which included 64 professional, 60 family members of persons with Serious Mental Illness, and 86 persons with experience of having been committed. According to the McGarvey report, and I quote,, "stakeholders are uniformly frustrated by almost every aspect of the civil commitment process in Virginia. Among the most common complaints were shortage of bed in willing detention facilities, insufficient time for adequate evaluation, the high cost and inefficiency of transporting people for evaluation, inadequate compensation for professional participants, inadequate reimbursement for hospitals, inconsistent interpretation of the statute by different judges, and lack of central direction and oversight. Such observations could have been made in a commission report, if mandated today, in the aftermath of Bridgewater. To further quote, "the reforms that we proposed should meet the following test: They should help people with mental health problems get the help they need, when they need it, so that health crises can be prevented or ameliorated and so that suffering and injury can be avoided. The overall goal can be achieved most successfully by fostering a climate of caring and respect for the people who need help, by reducing stigmatization, and by engaging people voluntarily in accessible recovery-oriented over which they have a meaningful measure of control. Conversely this goal can be fatally undermined if there are major gaps in services or if the system is perceived as unduly coercive and drives people away from treatment. The principles of voluntariness, respect, and self-determination must always be kept in the very forefront of our thinking. At the same time, though, coercion is sometimes necessary. Our reforms must therefore assume that involuntary treatment, while being used only when necessary occurs expeditiously and effectively when it is necessary. These statements are an exact quote from the Opening Remarks at the Commission on Mental Health Law Reforms from Professor Richard J. Bonnie, Director of the UVA ILPPP (Williamsburg, VA October12, 2006). To further quote Professor Bonnie, "In my opinion, the need for reform is irrefutable. No one is satisfied with the current situation; the only question is how sweeping the reforms should be.." I agree with everything Professor Bonnie remarked in his 2006 address. Unfortunately, his observations and recommendations, in my opinion, come 15 years too late.. Current proposed revisions in 37.2-817 are largely cosmetic and lack substance for challenges we face in our times, a bit like "rearranging the seats on the decks of the Titanic". Please consider the substantive proposals and recommendations I have made for reform and revisions and refer MOT 37.2-817 back to committee for review, public comment, and amendments.
HB 663 (Mandatory Outpatient), as written, would not have prevented Cho and Virginia Tech 2006.
This would be a much stronger bill and more flexible too as a civil commitment court docket if it were amended by the Virginia State Legislature to allow the district court judge or hospital special justice more discretion to order or "stay" an MOT order and remove the arbitrary 3 year 2 TDO statutory requirement prior to implementation of an AOT (MOT) order by the judge, as proposed in last.yar's Adams HB1026. Per established House legislative procedure, the existing HB663 CAN be amended. The wording of this bill is not "chiseled in stone"-- whatever the expressed intent of it's "working" group of committee lawyers! Proposed amendments to this bill should "see the light of day" and be entertained, as previously promised in the June Hope Subcommittee. This bill AND proposed amendments should be privy to public scrutiny and comment! Stakeholder groups should have their say in invited open Committee session!
Testimony in support of HB663 clarifying that it is solely a reorganization of existing provisions with no substantive changes to existing commonwealth MOT law.
This bill as written does little for the Adult SMI in a psychiatric emergency or for their families who may be desperately seeking effective court mandated outpatient services. This is due to its complexity and arbitrary requirement that a psychotically regressed and incapacitated adult with serious mental illness (SMI) first be subject to a TDO hearing twice over a 3 year period. For example, what does this bill do, really, for a psychotically regressed and incapacitated TDO respondent who has been psychiatrically well stabilized for years on antipsychotic medication, with no prior incidents, that no longer works, or that has debilitating side effects; however, the patient is subsequently TDO'd and presumed competent to refuse treatment or to allow family contacts due to his/her acutely delusional and paranoid decompensated state which "ties staff hands" due to common misunderstandings and misapplication of HIPAA privacy laws? What does HB 663 do for this patient and his family? How does the proposed HB663, as written, provide medically necessary, evidence based, court mandated and judicially supervised outpatient services for SMI patients meeting commitment criteria who do have capacity to consent and who can benefit from court mandated outpatient "problem solving" court dockets supervised by one judge who develops singular rapport with the SMI patient and his/her family who need it-- similar to that in evidence based, community based, criminal mental health dockets? Civil Mental health court dockets could be instrumental, if adopted into law, in encouraging such "at risk" individuals to develop their own physician and court approved care plans in transition to non-judicially supervised case management support and service plans by the CSB in the local community. What does HB663 do for these patients and their families? This "rewrite" of 37.2-817 is needlessly cumbersome, complex, and just as inscrutable to the average family member and advocate for the SMI as it's predecessor, in my opinion, as a forensic examiner. Giving the special justice the authority by legislative initiative to order a civil stay of the MOT order would provide an option for the judge, the patient, the family, and patient advocates in the community that would afford all the opportunity to divert the SMI TDO respondent on a voluntary basis for referral to court mandated civil court dockets and alternative dispute resolution for those willing to consent to and benefit from a referral to community based "treatment courts". The Hope Subcommittee in my opinion can do better! Edmund W. Creekmore, Jr PhD LCP Independent Examiner for the Virginia Supreme Court
This bill as written does little for the Adult SMI in a psychiatric emergency or for their families who may be desperately seeking effective court mandated outpatient services. This is due to its complexity and arbitrary requirement that a psychotically regressed and incapacitated adult with serious mental illness (SMI) first be subject to a TDO hearing twice over a 3 year period. For example, what does this bill do, really, for a psychotically regressed and incapacitated TDO respondent who has been psychiatrically well stabilized for years on antipsychotic medication, with no prior incidents, that no longer works, or that has debilitating side effects; however, the patient is subsequently TDO'd and presumed competent to refuse treatment or to allow family contacts due to his/her acutely delusional and paranoid decompensated state which "ties staff hands" due to common misunderstandings and misapplication of HIPAA privacy laws? What does HB 663 do for this patient and his family? How does the proposed HB663, as written, provide medically necessary, evidence based, court mandated and judicially supervised outpatient services for SMI patients meeting commitment criteria who do have capacity to consent and who can benefit from court mandated outpatient "problem solving" court dockets supervised by one judge who develops singular rapport with the SMI patient and his/her family who need it-- similar to that in evidence based, community based, criminal mental health dockets? Civil Mental health court dockets could be instrumental, if adopted into law, in encouraging such "at risk" individuals to develop their own physician and court approved care plans in transition to non-judicially supervised case management support and service plans by the CSB in the local community. What does HB663 do for these patients and their families? This "rewrite" of 37.2-817 is needlessly cumbersome, complex, and just as inscrutable to the average family member and advocate for the SMI as it's predecessor, in my opinion, as a forensic examiner. Giving the special justice the authority by legislative initiative to order a civil stay of the MOT order would provide an option for the judge, the patient, the family, and patient advocates in the community that would afford all the opportunity to divert the SMI TDO respondent on a voluntary basis for referral to court mandated civil court dockets and alternative dispute resolution for those willing to consent to and benefit from a referral to community based "treatment courts". The Hope Subcommittee in my opinion can do better! Edmund W. Creekmore, Jr PhD LCP Independent Examiner for the Virginia Supreme Court
HB668 - Facilities for civilly committed sex. violent predators; reports to Commonwealth's advocacy system.
We need to humanize our people. Bring back The US Consistition Allpw everyone TO HEAL
HB 668 is a bill to provide oversight for the Virginia Center for Behavioral Rehabilitation (VCBR), a mental health facility under the umbrella of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS). VCBR should not be left out of the transparency requirements which DBHDS places on the other state facilities it oversees. With a goal of safe release into the community, abuses within any mental health facility will only create instability and impaired mental health. There have been suspicious suicides and deaths over the last few years at VCBR which have not been accurately reported to the DBHDS or any other required state agencies. In addition, the mistreatment and mismanagement during the pandemic resulted in a death rate higher than any other DBHDS facility. Reports of abuse, mistreatment, mismanagement, and misappropriation of funds are rampant. Any reports from the public or "residents" to the State Inspector General as well as DBHDS are largely ignored. A present goal for the new administration in the Commonwealth is complete transparency as well as improvement of mental health treatment. As a facility of DBHDS, VCBR must be included with all other facilities to meet these goals. Legislators have a responsibility to all citizens to provide that safety and transparency.. Information about any incidents at VCBR, as well as all other DBHDS facilities, should be reported and the administration be held accountable. Please support HB 668
I would like to speak-AMY Lee Story
I would like to speak please -Amy Lee Story
HB688 (Mandatory Outpatient) as written would not have prevented Cho and Virginia Tech 2006.
HB769 - Onsite sewage system pump-out oversight; certain localities.
I am writing in support of HB 306 to be heard in committee tomorrow morning, which will allow a religious exemption to vaccines during an epidemic. Religious exemptions exist so that citizens can act freely in mind, body and spirit. Even in a time of an epidemic, citizens must have the opportunity to act on their conscience whatever that may be. The Nuremberg Code requires bodily autonomy and informed consent for any medical treatments to one’s body. Having religious exemption makes sure that remains the rule of law. As we’ve seen over the last two years, government has retained control over persons and their bodies in a way that would make Thomas Jefferson role over in his grave. Let Virginia continue to be religiously free, as the birthplace of religious freedom. Support HB 306.
I would like to speak-AMY Lee Story
I would like to speak please -Amy Lee Story
Dear Sir and Honorable Members of the Committee Industry representatives in the jurisdiction(s) indicated, fully support this bill ... we however would like to point out that the Virginia Department of Health was fully tasked in 2017 to improve and expand the Environmental Health Database to include the ability to capture and report on Conventional Onsite Sewage Systems. https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?171+ful+HB2477 - 2017 Legislative Session 7. Improve the collection and management of data about onsite sewage systems and private wells, including (i) creating a web-based reporting system for conventional onsite sewage system operation and maintenance, (ii) accepting applications and payments online, (iii) making onsite sewage system and private well records available online, (iv) creating a complete electronic record of all permitted onsite sewage systems and private wells in the Commonwealth, and (v) creating procedures for tracking Notices of Alleged Violations and corrective actions; and The Department to date has been "unable" to provide or make changes to their database as required by legislation. We have had numerous teleconference meetings where private sector has voiced our concerns, and the VDH database administrator has given many excuses as to why they are unable to meet the legislative requirements and make changes. We hope that the committee may add some "teeth" or urgency to the matter for VDH to upgrade the database as required, for a central online reporting instrument is essential for the Chesapeake Bay reporting to work.
I oppose HB 769 as it is proposed for the following reasons: 1. Licensed operators, pursuant to 18VAC160-40, are not licensed pumpers. Individuals can hold multiple licenses – such as installer, operator, pumper, contractor. But a licensed operator, as a stand alone license, is not a pumper and has no pump out authority from either DPOR or VDH. 2. DPOR licenses operators, but does not license pumpers. VDH licenses pumpers through their Sewage Handling Permit program (see 12VAC5-610-240.B - Sewage handling permits. Any person who removes or contracts to remove and transport by vehicle the contents of any septic tank, sewage treatment plant, privy, holding tank, portable toilet, or any sewage septage or sewage sludges from any other device shall be deemed an owner and shall have a written sewage handling permit issued by the commissioner). 3. VDH is stressed to the point of incompetence with the Alternative Onsite maintenance program. VDH is mandated to enforce an annual inspection program for about 25,000 alternative septic systems. The program has been in place for the past 12 years. As of 2017, VDH's compliance is about 10% on the annual maintenance inspection program - out of 23,176 alternative systems, there were only 4,858 inspections for the two year period - 2016 & 2017. For 100% compliance, there should have been 46,352 inspections reported (4858/46,352 = 10.5%.). That’s a statewide compliance rate of 10% for only 26,000 systems. 4. The estimated number of onsite systems in each county is: i. Accomack, 21,356 ii. Essex, 5,914 iii. Gloucester, 16,923 iv. King and Queen, 3,532 v. King William, 7,373 vi. Lancaster, 7,689 vii. Mathews, 5,760 viii. Middlesex, 7,392 ix. Northampton, 7,493 x. Northumberland, 9,394 xi. Richmond, 3,999 xii. Westmoreland, 11,134 Therefore, the estimated total number of conventional septic systems is 97,000 (estimating 90% of the 107,959 dwelling units are served by septic) Does the General Assembly trust VDH to manage/compel 97,000 pump outs every 5 years? 5. DEQ has oversight and audit authority provided by statute. They routinely audit counties for CBPA compliance. If the CBPA pump out program is transferred to VDH, what agency is empowered to hold VDH accountable? 6. The CBPA regulations include enforcement and civil penalties. What specific type of enforcement and civil penalties are provided to VDH in the transfer of the program. 7. There are multiple causes for pump outs. The 5-year CBPA program is one of many reasons owners have their septic system pumped. What levels of responsibility are attributable to the owner, and to the pumper? Is the owner responsible for the pump out only? Is the pumper only responsible for reporting the pump out? What happens if a pumper fails to report? What happens if the owner refuses to comply with the 5 year mandate? 8. Is VDH going to require owners/pumpers to report ALL pump outs? The correct public policy focus should be on alternative system maintenance and the enforcement of the annual inspection program. Alternative systems are critical, as they are constructed in our most sensitive environments. VDH’s failure to enforce the annual inspection program over the past 12 years is a colossal abrogation of their duty to the Commonwealth.
HB770 - Freestanding emergency departments; Bd. of Health to promulgate regulations related to departments.
I would like to speak-AMY Lee Story
I would like to speak please -Amy Lee Story
THE BILLS I WISH TO SUBMIT CO MMENTS ON ARE NOT LISTED SO I CHOSE ONE AT RANDOM Good evening. My name is Judith Dittman. I am the Chief Executive Officer for a Northern Virginia nonprofit organization called Second Story. Second Story’s mission is to step in at critical moments in a young person’s life when the support of a caring adult can make all the difference. To do this we provide safe havens and opportunities to grow and thrive for at-risk youth and for those experiencing homelessness. One of our safe havens is called Second Story for Youth in Crisis. It provides short-term (usually less than three weeks) shelter, counseling and wrap around support services for youth who are homeless, runaway, have been thrown out of their house or otherwise been abused and traumatized. All of these young people are between the ages of 13 and 17. These young people desperately want a safe place to stay and the ability to get the medical attention they have not been able to receive while on their own, especially if they are unaccompanied. They did not leave home thinking that it would be fun to access these critical supports on their own. In fact, many times the youth who are unaccompanied have been left by their parents, not the other way around. We have seen teens left alone in an apartment as their parents left the country. When the youth’s funds to pay rent run out, they have nowhere to turn. We work diligently to reunite youth with their families and are usually successful. But when a youth comes to our shelter door and does not have a family to call on, our options are severely limited. As the law stands now, we have 24 hours to gain the consent of a parent or guardian for the youth to stay in our safe haven. If that parent or guardian is not available there are currently no good options. HB 717 will give youth access while clarifying the guidelines that the provider community will follow to meet the needs of youth and families in our community. Many people are unaware of the number of youth who are homeless as they try to escape notice. Sleeping in their car or going from friend’s couch to friend’s couch. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, more than half of unaccompanied homeless youth are under 18 and sleep outside, in a car or in another place not meant for human habitation. There were over 20,000 students experiencing homelessness in Virginia’s schools in 2018-19, according to the National Center for Homeless education … including nearly 3,000 who were unaccompanied youth. Youth homelessness is a crisis in Virginia, and it is especially dangerous for unaccompanied youth. In trying to survive on their own many young people become involved in high risk behaviors that result in their becoming victims of sex trafficking and other violence. When you run out of friends’ couches to sleep on, you are easy prey for a sex trafficker. Reforms to Virginia state laws could help keep unaccompanied homeless youth safe. HB 353 would provide them much-needed access to physical and mental health care and related services. Currently, 31 states, including Maryland, and DC, have laws allowing minors to access housing, shelter, and other basic services without parental consent. I ask you to protect Virginia’s unaccompanied youth who are homeless by passing similar legislation. Judith Dittman, CEO Second Story 291 Skipjack Lane Cobbs Creek, VA 23035
HB805 - Barrier crimes; eliminates certain crimes from the definition, etc.
I am a physician no longer practicing who is in the process of becoming a certified PRS. My Zoom training was with Jason Pritchard. I served in the Navy for 25 years and practiced medicine for 12 years as a family medicine physician. I serve my church as a Stephen Minister in training as well as serve a local community service organization called House of Mercy. I plead guilty to aggravated sexual battery against my girlfriend of two years at the time, for an incident that occurred in September 2017. I was incarcerated for my crime and am now on probation in good standing. I was in the throes of active alcoholism at the time. Now in recovery, I am actively involved in AA and serve as my home group’s GSR. My story is one of genuine repentance, resiliency, rehabilitation, and service. I am comfortable speaking is such a forum and have substantive things to say regarding why this bill should be passed. Thank you.
I have what is considered a Barrier Crime on my record from 30 years ago; Statutory Burglary (non-residence, non-violent) directly related to my substance abuse then. I have since served all time, satisfied any probation/parole, paid all court costs/fines, achieved sobriety, obtained a double BA in Psychology & Sociology, and a MS in Mental Health Counseling. However, the collateral consequences of convictions stemming from immaturity, poor decisions, and addiction15-30 years ago remain as punishment almost akin to ongoing double jeopardy where no matter the rehabilitation, reform, or restitution, I am still faced with prosecution and persecution over and over again. What does it say about the penal system if all it does is punish without correcting and reforming individuals to re-enter society as citizens, as humans who have the ability to change and go on to work in professions to help others help themselves change; or to help other prevent the same poor choices and mistakes in life? What does it say about the department of Probation & Parole? What does it say about DBHDS, DMAS, and/or Mental Health and Addiction Treatment if people are deemed castaways uncapable of self-development, positive change, and will never be trustworthy in society, yet released into society with unequal opportunities? What good is restoring our right to vote and serve jury duty if the politicians we vote for do nothing to help vindicate those of us who paid our debt to society? What good does it do to just "Ban the Box" when the background checks still deem us as "ineligible for hire" and we have to walk off that job humiliated, defeated? Contributing factors to relapse & recidivism include systemic & institutional racism, discrimination, poverty, unemployment, and limited community resources preventing true Equal Opportunity. All of which can be linked, but not limited to, collateral consequences, barrier crimes statutes, and biased, Draconian laws prevalent and persistent in the Commonwealth & Confederate State of Virginia. Please remove the rigid Barrier Crimes laws and discriminatory practices of biased policies facing the incarcerated, former offenders, recovering alcoholics/addicts, those with mental health issues, and Blacks who are disproportionately adversely affected more than any other race and demographic. Thank you. -Wahid W. Shabazz
I would like to speak-AMY Lee Story
I would like to speak please -Amy Lee Story
The best men and women to help other people struggling with the disease of addiction are the people that have been through the same thing!
BARRIER CRIMES IMPACT THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKFORCE There are critical staff vacancies throughout the behavioral healthcare system. Utilizing peers with lived experience will assist in alleviating some of those vacancies. Peer Recovery Specialists with barrier crimes have more difficulty finding work in the behavioral health field due to barrier crime convictions. There is a population of trained Peer Recovery Specialists in Virginia who have barrier crime convictions, often committed in pre-recovery while untreated, but are unable to seek employment in their desired profession at their local Community Services Board, or at other state facilities. People with mental health or substance abuse challenges could benefit from services provided by Peer Recovery Specialists. Over and over we hear from people that when they’ve met someone who has had a similar life experience, they feel an immediate sense of connection (e.g. she/he “gets it”. The peer workforce is not as effective as it could be due to the few exclusions to barrier crimes in the behavioral health field. Peers that have experience with incarceration due to barrier crimes and the resulting stigma surrounding searching for viable employment offer a unique perspective to other peers in similar circumstances VOCAL, a statewide organization that supports peer-facilitated mental health recovery, asks that you support House Bill 805.
Mental Health America of Virgina strongly supports efforts to revise the Barrier Crimes statutes to give behavioral health agencies the opportunity to hire otherwise qualified staff when their criminal history has no bearing on public or individual safety if hired. The behavioral health workforce in Virginia has been understaffed for several years, and is now in a crisis situation, with long waitnig lists and denied care for many individuals with mental illness or substance use disorders. Direct service providers have great needs to fill positions and these out of date statutes prevent them from serving many people in need. The current statutes have a particularly disqualifying impact on peer recovery specialists, whose qualifications for the job include their own journey of recovery from addiction or mental illness, along with the training and certification to prepare them to help those seeking treatment and recovery for similar challenges.
I support this bill, as an adoptive parent of two now-young adults who were in foster care in Virginia. This will increase the pool of potential caregivers, while still maintaining oversight and approval processes used by LDSS in considering and approving foster and kinship placements.
HB807 - Criminal history background checks; governing individuals providing certain services for adults.
I would like to speak-AMY Lee Story
I would like to speak please -Amy Lee Story
HB1324 - Pharmacy, Board of; pharmacy work environment requirements.
See attachment for testimony.
I am writing in support of HB 306 to be heard in committee tomorrow morning, which will allow a religious exemption to vaccines during an epidemic. Religious exemptions exist so that citizens can act freely in mind, body and spirit. Even in a time of an epidemic, citizens must have the opportunity to act on their conscience whatever that may be. The Nuremberg Code requires bodily autonomy and informed consent for any medical treatments to one’s body. Having religious exemption makes sure that remains the rule of law. As we’ve seen over the last two years, government has retained control over persons and their bodies in a way that would make Thomas Jefferson role over in his grave. Let Virginia continue to be religiously free, as the birthplace of religious freedom. Support HB 306.
I would like to speak-AMY Lee Story
I would like to speak please -Amy Lee Story
HB343 - Barrier crimes; removing offenses involving possession, etc., of controlled substances.
I have what is considered a Barrier Crime on my record from 30 years ago; Statutory Burglary (non-residence, non-violent) directly related to my substance abuse then. I have since served all time, satisfied any probation/parole, paid all court costs/fines, achieved sobriety, obtained a double BA in Psychology & Sociology, and a MS in Mental Health Counseling. However, the collateral consequences of convictions stemming from immaturity, poor decisions, and addiction15-30 years ago remain as punishment almost akin to ongoing double jeopardy where no matter the rehabilitation, reform, or restitution, I am still faced with prosecution and persecution over and over again. What does it say about the penal system if all it does is punish without correcting and reforming individuals to re-enter society as citizens, as humans who have the ability to change and go on to work in professions to help others help themselves change; or to help other prevent the same poor choices and mistakes in life? What does it say about the department of Probation & Parole? What does it say about DBHDS, DMAS, and/or Mental Health and Addiction Treatment if people are deemed castaways uncapable of self-development, positive change, and will never be trustworthy in society, yet released into society with unequal opportunities? What good is restoring our right to vote and serve jury duty if the politicians we vote for do nothing to help vindicate those of us who paid our debt to society? What good does it do to just "Ban the Box" when the background checks still deem us as "ineligible for hire" and we have to walk off that job humiliated, defeated? Contributing factors to relapse & recidivism include systemic & institutional racism, discrimination, poverty, unemployment, and limited community resources preventing true Equal Opportunity. All of which can be linked, but not limited to, collateral consequences, barrier crimes statutes, and biased, Draconian laws prevalent and persistent in the Commonwealth & Confederate State of Virginia. Please remove the rigid Barrier Crimes laws and discriminatory practices of biased policies facing the incarcerated, former offenders, recovering alcoholics/addicts, those with mental health issues, and Blacks who are disproportionately adversely affected more than any other race and demographic. Thank you. -Wahid W. Shabazz
I would like to speak-AMY Lee Story
I would like to speak please -Amy Lee Story
The best men and women to help other people struggling with the disease of addiction are the people that have been through the same thing!
Mental Health America of Virgina strongly supports efforts to revise the Barrier Crimes statutes to give behavioral health agencies the opportunity to hire otherwise qualified staff when their criminal history has no bearing on public or individual safety if hired. The behavioral health workforce in Virginia has been understaffed for several years, and is now in a crisis situation, with long waitnig lists and denied care for many individuals with mental illness or substance use disorders. Direct service providers have great needs to fill positions and these out of date statutes prevent them from serving many people in need. The current statutes have a particularly disqualifying impact on peer recovery specialists, whose qualifications for the job include their own journey of recovery from addiction or mental illness, along with the training and certification to prepare them to help those seeking treatment and recovery for similar challenges.