My name is Michael Gordon. I am a recovering addict. My clean date is 06/06/2008. I writing this letter because it my duty as a health professional to bring to the table how important it is that we change the barrier crime law. I have spent countless hours and days working with other addicts who trying to find their pathway into recovery. The frontlines are thin because the people whom society deemed unworthy because of some past mistakes cannot work in the field that they could do the greatest good. I did not know when I received my sentence in 1990 for distribution of crack cocaine. I would be serving a life time sentence. Luck for me I don’t have a barrier crime, yet today after getting my GED, going to college and graduating with honors. I still can live in certain areas or have certain jobs. I went from the crack house to the White House and still that not enough for Virginia to forgive me of my past mistakes. We need more people who has made a deep commitment to change to share their experiences with others who are suffering!!

Apparently, Virginia’s doctors and nurses are racist. So says HB 32, which would force us to take “implicit bias training” to get and keep our licenses. This training holds that we’re inherently prejudiced toward those with different skin color. It says your bias is engrained, there’s nothing you can do about it, and you must constantly admit you’re racist and biased. But what does the evidence say? Often used in implicit bias training, the “Implicit Association Test” measures how quickly you associate “good” and “bad” words with white and black faces. If you’re too slow with black faces or associate better words with white faces, the test declares you’re biased. But psychologists and scholars have found that people who retake it rarely get anywhere close to the same results. This has led some of the test’s most prominent backers to admit that it leads to “undesirably high rates of erroneous classifications.” In other words, the test is useless.

Over 500K medical professionals in the US left the field in 2021. Thousands are newly disabled and leaving and retiring early or dying. If your goal is to completely destroy US and VA health care, you will certainly help to do so if this bill passes. Many more will leave the field if this entirely unnecessary imposition burdens the remaining health care workers. This unscientific, harmful, and racist 'training' will further harm the most vulnerable, whom the misguided erroneously think it will protect, because there will be fewer healthcare givers, longer waits, farther travels for help, and they will be absent while in 'training'. Finally, people in healthcare do not impose harms to anyone, as this bill suggests, for the harm occurs via insurance companies, operating budgets, and administrative overreach. These entities also already overburden healthcare professionals. This 'training' is waste of time and money and will turn many away from the people who need them most while worsening shortages in the profession: https://www.aamc.org/news/press-releases/aamc-report-reinforces-mounting-physician-shortage

The addition of various pet projects to be added onto already burdensome continuing medical education has become out of control. They have already added specific required continuing medical education hours for opiates and human trafficking. Although cultural competence is laudable, this is already addressed as a part of the medical education system. Additional required hours is not necessary. If this is allowed, then every year, there will be some additional subject de jour that may get added to required CME hours. Maybe marijuana or motor vehicle accidents etc. The potential list is endless. It is not the job of the legislature to mandate specific CME hours for physicians. That should be left to specialty societies and medical boards who have the expertise. As a practicing physician for over 10 years, I am against this legislative overreach. Please vote no.

Yes to 32! Smart and helpful Cognitive bias consists of systematic errors in thinking due to human processing limitations or inappropriate mental models. It takes critical thinking and humility, both of which doctors should already have, to learn what you don't know. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7838049/ While scientific and medical research is thought to be free from outside influence, ‘science is always shaped by the time and the place in which it is carried out’.52 The research questions that are developed and answered depend on the culture and institutions in our societies, including public–private industry partnerships. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8004354/

Yes to 32. 2H of CEUs training once every 4 years for just those directly interacting with those who are or may become pregnant is a humble reasonable beginning! In promulgating such regulations, the Board shall consider (i) the need to promote ethical practice, 17 (ii) an appropriate standard of care, (iii) patient safety, (iv) application of new medical technology, (v) 18 appropriate communication with patients, and (vi) knowledge of the changing health care system. This training fits within these regulations.

Please say NO to House Bill 32. Our medical staffs need to focus on to help patients.

Stop house bill 32! Apparently, Virginia’s doctors and nurses are racist. So says HB 32, which would force us to take “implicit bias training” to get and keep our licenses. This training holds that we’re inherently prejudiced toward those with different skin color. It says your bias is engrained, there’s nothing you can do about it, and you must constantly admit you’re racist and biased. But what does the evidence say? Often used in implicit bias training, the “Implicit Association Test” measures how quickly you associate “good” and “bad” words with white and black faces. If you’re too slow with black faces or associate better words with white faces, the test declares you’re biased. But psychologists and scholars have found that people who retake it rarely get anywhere close to the same results. This has led some of the test’s most prominent backers to admit that it leads to “undesirably high rates of erroneous classifications.” In other words, the test is useless. This training encourages the very racial division it purports to fight. If a test accuses a white doctor like me of bias, why would black patients want to see me? The doctor-patient relationship is built on trust, but the idea of implicit bias sows distrust. Ask my patients, many of whom are minorities. They wouldn’t say I’ve harmed them, yet the Virginia legislature is saying I have. It’s clear that if you pass this bill, you won’t be fighting racism. You’ll be undermining healthcare and hurting the patients who need our help.

No House Bill 32 . Virginia’s healthcare professionals have dedicated their lives to providing the best care to Virginia’s residents without regard for their skin color. Lawmakers should NOT force them to endure discriminatory and insulting implicit bias training in order to continue their careers. Stop House Bill 32.

Virginia’s healthcare professionals have dedicated their lives to providing the best care to the state’s residents without regard for their skin color and forcing them to endure discriminatory and insulting implicit bias training in order to continue their careers is not in the best interest of their patients. Many clinicians who are already required to take implicit bias training in their states, and they tell us that implicit bias training: Is insulting, demeaning, and takes valuable time away from patient care. Is a waste of time that adds to frustration and burnout. Has caused them to consider leaving their professions; and some already have.

Comments Document

I am Ken Lipstock, MD, an ophthalmologist working in Henrico County in private practice for 37 years. I would like to comment on HB 32. Please see my comments in the attachment which will explain what the science tells about the dependability of implicit bias tests as well as implicit bias training courses. In that light, the advisability of mandating such courses for MD`s and Nurses will be discussed. Thank you all for your service to the Commonwealth.

from a literature review: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8004354/ "Implicit bias in healthcare: clinical practice, research and decision making" "Bias is the evaluation of something or someone that can be positive or negative, and implicit or unconscious bias is when the person is unaware of their evaluation. This is particularly relevant to policymaking during the coronavirus pandemic and racial inequality highlighted during the support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Bias training could bridge the gap from the lack of awareness of bias to the ability to recognise bias in others and within ourselves. Awareness of implicit bias must not deflect from wider socio-economic, political and structural barriers as well ignore explicit bias such as prejudice." "A systematic review focusing on the medical profession showed that most studies found healthcare professionals have negative bias towards non-White people, graded by the IAT, which was significantly associated with treatment adherence and decisions, and poorer patient outcomes (n=4,179; 15 studies).24 A further systematic review showed that healthcare professionals have negative bias in multiple categories from race to disability as graded by the IAT (n=17,185; 42 studies) but it did not link this to outcomes.25 The reviews bring into question healthcare provider impartiality which may conflict with their ethical and moral obligations.25,26" "In 2019, the MBRRACE-UK report revealed that maternal and perinatal mortality in pregnancy was five times higher in Black women compared with White women, and this data has also been replicated in US data with a similar order of magnitude of three to four times.45,46 While official reports have not offered clear explanations as to the causes of such differences, it has been suggested that a combination of stigma, systemic racism and socio-economic inequality are relevant causative factors rather than biological factors alone.47,48 Lokugamage calls for healthcare professionals to challenge their own biases and assumptions when providing care using a ‘cultural safety’ model.49,50 Such a model could help identify areas for power imbalances in the healthcare provider–patient relationship and resultant inequalities. Cultural competence training has been evaluated in a Cochrane systematic review, and a number of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) included did show that training courses (of varying lengths) did provide some improvement in cultural competency and perceived care quality at 6–12 months’ follow-up (five studies; 337 professionals; 84,00 patients).51 " Gopal DP, Chetty U, O'Donnell P, Gajria C, Blackadder-Weinstein J. Implicit bias in healthcare: clinical practice, research and decision making. Future Healthc J. 2021 Mar;8(1):40-48. doi: 10.7861/fhj.2020-0233. PMID: 33791459; PMCID: PMC8004354.

YES, as someone who has researched the maternal health crisis and the problem of implicit and explicit bias in the medical education field. It sadly exists and adding training is a great modern idea

vote YES! excellent idea

YES social worker here in support. Thank you to Del Clark, Del Thomas, and all involved. The essential teachings about implicit bias in medicine will have potentially life saving results.

Social worker here- strong YES support for this bill. Black mothers are dying at 3-4x the rates of white mothers due to complications or pregnancy related causes (Roeder, 2019). Black women, more than any other group, are not believed by medical professionals (Benjamins, 2013). Symptoms and pain are dismissed. There is something wrong with a system that does not value lives of Black pregnant people equally to white pregnant people (Purnell, 2019; Yosso, 2005). The US is the only industrialized country with a rising maternal mortality rate... and one of only 13 countries worldwide (Black Mamas Matter Alliance, 2018). 40% of these maternal deaths are avoidable if all pregnant people—regardless of age, race, and zip code—have access to quality healthcare (American Heart Association, 2019).

I am a board certified, full-time practicing physician of Emergency Medicine, and I am writing to STRONGLY OPPOSE bill HB32. I truly feel that well-intentioned bills like this have the opposite effect from what is intended. "Implicit bias" is a bogeyman, with very little data to support its existence in the modern practice of medicine. Certain studies have purported to detect implicit bias against certain groups, but these studies often suffer from poor design quality and dubious conclusions from the data. The reality is, there is no evidence that this problem actually exists. Furthermore, it feels as though the government is mandating a political agenda, not a true medical one. By mandating that medical practitioners complete culture sensitivity and implicit bias training, the Legislature is actually alienating them, as well as creating one more regulatory annoyance. Speaking specifically about Emergency Medicine, the field is on the verge of collapse. Physicians are transitioning out of the field or retiring early faster than they are being replaced. Bills like HB32 only serve to make practitioners feel more alienated and put upon. HB32 is a bad idea.

Discontinue DEI-cultural competency in health care. Please treat the human being. We all bleed red.

My name is Michael Gordon. I am a recovering addict. My clean date is 06/06/2008. I writing this letter because it my duty as a health professional to bring to the table how important it is that we change the barrier crime law. I have spent countless hours and days working with other addicts who trying to find their pathway into recovery. The frontlines are thin because the people whom society deemed unworthy because of some past mistakes cannot work in the field that they could do the greatest good. I did not know when I received my sentence in 1990 for distribution of crack cocaine. I would be serving a life time sentence. Luck for me I don’t have a barrier crime, yet today after getting my GED, going to college and graduating with honors. I still can live in certain areas or have certain jobs. I went from the crack house to the White House and still that not enough for Virginia to forgive me of my past mistakes. We need more people who has made a deep commitment to change to share their experiences with others who are suffering!!

My name is Michael Gordon. I am a recovering addict. My clean date is 06/06/2008. I writing this letter because it my duty as a health professional to bring to the table how important it is that we change the barrier crime law. I have spent countless hours and days working with other addicts who trying to find their pathway into recovery. The frontlines are thin because the people whom society deemed unworthy because of some past mistakes cannot work in the field that they could do the greatest good. I did not know when I received my sentence in 1990 for distribution of crack cocaine. I would be serving a life time sentence. Luck for me I don’t have a barrier crime, yet today after getting my GED, going to college and graduating with honors. I still can live in certain areas or have certain jobs. I went from the crack house to the White House and still that not enough for Virginia to forgive me of my past mistakes. We need more people who has made a deep commitment to change to share their experiences with others who are suffering!!

My name is Michael Gordon. I am a recovering addict. My clean date is 06/06/2008. I writing this letter because it my duty as a health professional to bring to the table how important it is that we change the barrier crime law. I have spent countless hours and days working with other addicts who trying to find their pathway into recovery. The frontlines are thin because the people whom society deemed unworthy because of some past mistakes cannot work in the field that they could do the greatest good. I did not know when I received my sentence in 1990 for distribution of crack cocaine. I would be serving a life time sentence. Luck for me I don’t have a barrier crime, yet today after getting my GED, going to college and graduating with honors. I still can live in certain areas or have certain jobs. I went from the crack house to the White House and still that not enough for Virginia to forgive me of my past mistakes. We need more people who has made a deep commitment to change to share their experiences with others who are suffering!!

My name is Michael Gordon. I am a recovering addict. My clean date is 06/06/2008. I writing this letter because it my duty as a health professional to bring to the table how important it is that we change the barrier crime law. I have spent countless hours and days working with other addicts who trying to find their pathway into recovery. The frontlines are thin because the people whom society deemed unworthy because of some past mistakes cannot work in the field that they could do the greatest good. I did not know when I received my sentence in 1990 for distribution of crack cocaine. I would be serving a life time sentence. Luck for me I don’t have a barrier crime, yet today after getting my GED, going to college and graduating with honors. I still can live in certain areas or have certain jobs. I went from the crack house to the White House and still that not enough for Virginia to forgive me of my past mistakes. We need more people who has made a deep commitment to change to share their experiences with others who are suffering!!

Patients need to be verbally consulted about the dangers of opioid addiction. They need to understand the risk of addiction for themselves and the need to ensure that no one else can acquire their pills. Doctors also need to be responsible to provide lowest dose for shortest time to assist the patient in not becoming addicted.

Every little action helps!!!🛑💢🛑Good Morning - HB699 is being introduced in the Virginia House this morning. There isn’t a family, or community This piece of legislation will save lives by informing all patients, and the parents of patients, of the potential for dependency and addiction to an opioid– at the time it is most needed- before it is prescribed; and, by making patients aware of alternatives to opioids that exist for their acute pain. These life-saving conversations between prescribers and patients will also help to identify the signs and symptoms of dependency and encourage the securing of these drugs in the home to prevent diversion and the use of dangerous and deadly street drugs that could contain fentanyl. Thank you.

Comments Document

In 2002 my 16 year old son was walking home from a shopping center. He was followed into the woods and shot and robbed for $30. He almost died during surgery but he fought to live. After being in the hospital for a month he became addicted to drugs. We had no idea. We knew nothing about drugs and addiction. By the time we found out our son was deep into his addiction. I feel like we should have been warned of the possibility of addiction. We would have done a lot of things differently. We were just happy he survived the shooting and coming home. He struggled with his addiction for 18 years until he was poisoned with fentanyl. The pain of his loss is with us every day. My son was anti drug before being in the hospital. He should have been able to live a happy normal drug free life. He tried so hard to fight his addiction. It just wasn’t fair. I miss him every second of every day.

Comments Document

In 2002 my 16 year old son was walking home from a shopping center. He was followed into the woods and shot and robbed for $30. He almost died during surgery but he fought to live. After being in the hospital for a month he became addicted to drugs. We had no idea. We knew nothing about drugs and addiction. By the time we found out our son was deep into his addiction. I feel like we should have been warned of the possibility of addiction. We would have done a lot of things differently. We were just happy he survived the shooting and coming home. He struggled with his addiction for 18 years until he was poisoned with fentanyl. The pain of his loss is with us every day. My son was anti drug before being in the hospital. He should have been able to live a happy normal drug free life. He tried so hard to fight his addiction. It just wasn’t fair. I miss him every second of every day.

Comments Document

In 2002 my 16 year old son was walking home from a shopping center. He was followed into the woods and shot and robbed for $30. He almost died during surgery but he fought to live. After being in the hospital for a month he became addicted to drugs. We had no idea. We knew nothing about drugs and addiction. By the time we found out our son was deep into his addiction. I feel like we should have been warned of the possibility of addiction. We would have done a lot of things differently. We were just happy he survived the shooting and coming home. He struggled with his addiction for 18 years until he was poisoned with fentanyl. The pain of his loss is with us every day. My son was anti drug before being in the hospital. He should have been able to live a happy normal drug free life. He tried so hard to fight his addiction. It just wasn’t fair. I miss him every second of every day.

My name is Donna Watson and my son Troy Howlett passed away from a fentanyl poisoning in 2018. My name is Donna Watson and my son Troy Howlett passed away from a fentanyl poisoning in 2018. My senior Troy's senior year of high school he was in a car accident and had to be med flighted to MCV. After several surgeries, and nine months of being placed on pain pills, my son was addicted. They knew exactly what they were doing. My son fought a 12 year battle in and out of rehabs. Trying to break free from this addiction. It was too late. The pharmaceutical companies knew exactly what they were doing as well as the doctors. I can't bring my son back, and God knows I wish I could, but I do have a voice to help other families not go through what I've been through. My life will never be the same. My son will never Mary, and have children and a family. My son was robbed of his life. These people need to be held accountable.

To Whom It May Concern, There isn’t a family, or community untouched by the opioid crisis. Please help Virginia be part of the solution to eradicating the opioid epidemic by supporting HB699. This piece of legislation will save lives by informing all patients, and the parents of patients, of the potential for dependency and addiction to an opioid– at the time it is most needed- before it is prescribed; and, by making patients aware of alternatives to opioids that exist for their acute pain. These lifesaving conversations between prescribers and patients will also help to identify the signs and symptoms of dependency and encourage securing of these drugs in the home to prevent diversion. Thank you, Kimberly A. Matthews, Ph.D.

Comments Document

Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing (PROP), a national nonprofit organization with a mission to reduce morbidity and mortality caused by overprescribing opioids, urges the support of House Bill 699 sponsored by Representative Michelle Maldonado. PROP’s members include clinicians and researchers in the fields of Pain, Addiction, Public Health, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Primary Care, Occupational Medicine, Evidence-Based Medicine, and other specialties. We are supporting the immediate passage of House Bill 699 because the bill requires prescribers to inform patients and parents of patients about the risk of addiction when prescribing opioids. Unfortunately, many clinicians are ill-informed about the addiction potential of opioids and are thus unable to voluntarily communicate these risks to parents. Making it mandatory for prescribers to discuss opioid risks will result in better-informed parents, patients, and prescribers.

My name is Michael Gordon. I am a recovering addict. My clean date is 06/06/2008. I writing this letter because it my duty as a health professional to bring to the table how important it is that we change the barrier crime law. I have spent countless hours and days working with other addicts who trying to find their pathway into recovery. The frontlines are thin because the people whom society deemed unworthy because of some past mistakes cannot work in the field that they could do the greatest good. I did not know when I received my sentence in 1990 for distribution of crack cocaine. I would be serving a life time sentence. Luck for me I don’t have a barrier crime, yet today after getting my GED, going to college and graduating with honors. I still can live in certain areas or have certain jobs. I went from the crack house to the White House and still that not enough for Virginia to forgive me of my past mistakes. We need more people who has made a deep commitment to change to share their experiences with others who are suffering!!

There must be a complete separation between law enforcement oversight and medical provider oversight in this State. Currently we have very poor oversight of judges and attorneys. We are also one of two States, if I’m not mistaken, where judges are appointed. So basically needed checks and balances to these systems must be preserved at all costs. There are no boards law enforcement boards in this State including police, attorneys or judges that allow cross collaboration with other licensed professionals. When me and my children became victims of targeted crimes in the child welfare and mental health system at the hands of law enforcement officers and medical providers, the law enforcement community that I reached out to for help covered up what took place including the commonwealth attorneys office in Fairfax County. Commissioner Dr. Danny Avula of the Department of Social Services is the one who took what I reported seriously and met with me to understand fully what took place. So why did Dr Avula look into what I reported and others didn’t... in my opinion it’s because at the end of the day he is a medical doctor who took an oath to “do no harm”. So in short, due to the type of system of government we have in Virginia, it is imperative that we do not mix law enforcement with medicine. The crimes that so easily happened to me and my family were all due to the fact that these lines of distinction have become blurry over the years in our State. And at the end of the day, we need to ensure that we do not have any unnecessary encroachments into the way these systems must exist in our type of government infrastructure to preserve very necessary checks and balances.

My name is Michael Gordon. I am a recovering addict. My clean date is 06/06/2008. I writing this letter because it my duty as a health professional to bring to the table how important it is that we change the barrier crime law. I have spent countless hours and days working with other addicts who trying to find their pathway into recovery. The frontlines are thin because the people whom society deemed unworthy because of some past mistakes cannot work in the field that they could do the greatest good. I did not know when I received my sentence in 1990 for distribution of crack cocaine. I would be serving a life time sentence. Luck for me I don’t have a barrier crime, yet today after getting my GED, going to college and graduating with honors. I still can live in certain areas or have certain jobs. I went from the crack house to the White House and still that not enough for Virginia to forgive me of my past mistakes. We need more people who has made a deep commitment to change to share their experiences with others who are suffering!!

My parents taught me to judge people based on their character and values. I was taught to be respectful to others and work hard no matter job or task given at the time. Forcing medical students and professional physicians to partake in unconscious bias and cultural competency is shameful. We need qualified medical professionals. Please stop focusing on race, gender, etc to divide humanity.

My name is Michael Gordon. I am a recovering addict. My clean date is 06/06/2008. I writing this letter because it my duty as a health professional to bring to the table how important it is that we change the barrier crime law. I have spent countless hours and days working with other addicts who trying to find their pathway into recovery. The frontlines are thin because the people whom society deemed unworthy because of some past mistakes cannot work in the field that they could do the greatest good. I did not know when I received my sentence in 1990 for distribution of crack cocaine. I would be serving a life time sentence. Luck for me I don’t have a barrier crime, yet today after getting my GED, going to college and graduating with honors. I still can live in certain areas or have certain jobs. I went from the crack house to the White House and still that not enough for Virginia to forgive me of my past mistakes. We need more people who has made a deep commitment to change to share their experiences with others who are suffering!!

Ladies and gentlemen, I stand before you today to advocate passionately for the passage of this crucial bill aimed at combating implicit bias in healthcare—a pervasive issue that has detrimentally affected the well-being of African Americans and other minorities across the United States. This proposed legislation is not just a matter of policy; it is a moral imperative and a crucial step towards achieving equitable healthcare outcomes for all citizens. Implicit bias within healthcare systems has been extensively documented, leading to profound disparities in the quality and accessibility of medical care. African Americans and minorities often face systemic hurdles that compromise their health outcomes, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality rates. This bill seeks to address these disparities by implementing comprehensive measures to identify, mitigate, and prevent implicit bias within healthcare practices. Healthcare professionals need robust training programs to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and tools to recognize and counteract implicit biases. Moreover, we need a bill that mandates the collection and analysis of healthcare data disaggregated by race and ethnicity, enabling a transparent evaluation of disparities and facilitating targeted interventions. By passing this bill, we send a powerful message that Virginia is committed to fostering a healthcare system rooted in fairness and justice. We acknowledge the urgency of dismantling the systemic barriers that hinder access to quality care for marginalized communities. This legislation is not a mere formality but a tangible commitment to the well-being of all citizens, irrespective of their racial or ethnic background. In conclusion, I implore each member of this esteemed legislative committee to recognize the gravity of this issue and vote in favor of this bill. Let us unite in our pursuit of a healthcare system that reflects the principles of equality and justice, ensuring that every individual, regardless of their background, receives the care they deserve. Our actions today will shape a healthier, more equitable future for our state.

Hi there, I'm Natalie from Social Busy Bee, your partner in the exciting world of Instagram growth. I've discovered something phenomenal for skyrocketing your Instagram popularity and I'm thrilled to share it with you! Social Growth Engine introduces a groundbreaking service that takes your Instagram engagement to new heights. It's effortless: - Zero in on producing unforgettable content. - Extremely budget-friendly at a mere $36/month. - Completely safe (no password needed), incredibly powerful, and Instagram's best friend. I've experienced remarkable results firsthand, and I'm sure you will too! Amplify your Instagram presence right now: http://get.socialbuzzzy.com/instagram_booster Best wishes, Natalie at Social Busy Bee"

Hi I am writing to you on behalf of The Well Connection UK, a media and publishing company. We could easily get virginia.gov featured in various publications such as magazines, online blogs and news sites. This would undoubtedly help virginia.gov with publicity, reputation, domain authority and organic search engine rankings. We have a wide range of options including completely free collaborations, sponsored posts, guest posts and banner ads. If this sounds of interest, please reach out to the senior business development manager, Anita at info@thewellconnection.co.uk and whatsapp +447395206515 (GMT) Kind regards Clifton Junior Outreach Assistant

Alexandria is a vibrant city based on history, culture, a waterfront and lots of tourism. If Virginia has money and space to build an arena then you have money and space to build new schools. Our school system is deplorable. It’s overcrowded. Think of your citizens before thinking about your quick money grab that eventually leads to an inevitable loss. We don’t want or need an arena. This is pure greed.

Yes I'm a supporter of the bill hb1269, as a returning citizen, I have completed my sentence, 18 years with 85% and my five years of parole, but I still have this invisible wall, wich I called disenfranchised that stopped me from being whole again, my experience, being denied to get a job, like Walmart, Advance Auto, Panera bread. My arrest happened in 2001, under the 14th amendment due process for law, an equal protection law, everybody should be giving a second chance, if they completed their full punishment, to help give back to the community so they won't make the same mistakes we did. When people are disenfranchised it supports recidivism. I got my voting rights back in I voted for the first time this year, but I'm not getting full rights as an American citizen, yes please can you consider giving us returning citizens a full second chance thank you Mr Bernard Mills

This is on behalf of all of the individuals who want to give back. We have been in recovery and are attempting to work as Peer Recovery Specialists. In most places we are forbidden to be employed to do our work. Our lived experience is an asset that can support others in changing their lives. If we cannot be employed by the same entity that provides us the certification, how does that make sense. Peers are a force that are passionate to be there and work hard to assist others in their pathway of recovery. We come with no judgement, just a shear desire to show lives can change. We walk beside those with mental health and substance use challenges. So many of us have been turned down. There is a need for Peer Support Specialists all over the state. It is the barrier that excludes us from doing the work we are meant to do. Please understand our plea and take into account we can actually be part of the solution during the epidemics facing all of our fellow citizens. Substance use deaths can potentially be prevented by allowing us to connect and support others. We were in their shoes, we have come out on the other end, we can be a great resource for the behavioral health industry. Our value is insurmountable to the affect on a team to reach out citizens. Please allow us to do our work. With respect and gratitude, support this bill. Thank you, Cindy Kimmons, Registered Peer Recovery Specialist, Forensic Peer Specialist.

My name is Michael Gordon. I am a recovering addict. My clean date is 06/06/2008. I writing this letter because it my duty as a health professional to bring to the table how important it is that we change the barrier crime law. I have spent countless hours and days working with other addicts who trying to find their pathway into recovery. The frontlines are thin because the people whom society deemed unworthy because of some past mistakes cannot work in the field that they could do the greatest good. I did not know when I received my sentence in 1990 for distribution of crack cocaine. I would be serving a life time sentence. Luck for me I don’t have a barrier crime, yet today after getting my GED, going to college and graduating with honors. I still can live in certain areas or have certain jobs. I went from the crack house to the White House and still that not enough for Virginia to forgive me of my past mistakes. We need more people who has made a deep commitment to change to share their experiences with others who are suffering!!

I feel this is a good bill to pass as long as there is careful consideration that the person being employed is working their program of recovery and active in their own recovery. As addicts we often go too fast when we first get here and need to work through our own traumas and have a strong foundation in order to be able to do a job as a peer Navigator or help in the SUD field or mental health. I feel 3 years is a good number to do this as long as they are following the suggested guidelines. It has been my experience that it has not been easy to get employeed with barrier crimes in these work fields or even just regular jobs with a background. It stinks because it makes very hard to work and better yourself without someone giving u a chance. I've seen others go back out over this very thing. I myself didn't become employed til I was 5 years clean and still with time clean find myself losing myself in this type of job because it's so mentally and spiritually draining at times. I've learned alot since being here and cannot stress enough the importance of boundaries that are healthy and self care along with prioritizing my own recovery over anything I do. Not just in the work place. Thank you for considering my thoughts on this.

I work as a peer support specialist and do not have a barrier crime in my past. Because of the I feel if we has someone in our organization with this in their past they are more qualified then I am to help others with the same kind of history. I know that I have done better in my recovery by talking to people who I can relate to who have shared some of the same experiences. If a person has committed a crime and paid for it whether it be by fines, imprisonment, or whatever they should not prevented from being employed because of their past. So many people who could benefit from their experience are missing out because of these unfair laws. Thanks Sue Eller

Comments Document

I have a distribution charge that has prevented me from taking custody of a baby in my family which led the baby to be put in foster care. I also applied for a supervisor position at a CSB and was hired contingent on the background check. I was working at a CSB and attempted to be cleared by Department of Mental and Behavioral Health Services. I was told they did not want to rock the boat. I currently am still a CPRS with over 8 years free from substances and active in my recovery. I understand that there should be a time limit however after the work put into becoming successful, it can become frustrating as well. I petitioned for a pardon in the state of Virginia. I am currently awaiting the decision. Enclosed as an attachment in the letter of support from the commonwealth attorney that supports me growing in my profession.

I am a person that has has 22 years from my sentence of robbery. I took a purse from a shopping cart with no weapon or force. I turned my life around after prison and got my CSAC and have been trying to use it since. I didn’t know then that I wouldn’t be able to work with it. I have progressed past it because of opportunities helping in the non Profit sector and switched my career to outreach for substance abuse instead of you selling but this current law that this bill is trying to replace is hurting our patients currently suffering because of staff shortages. Melissa Brown 550-807-0978

There is an urgent need to address our mental health crisis, and yet a serious workforce shortage means many people are unable to get the help they need when they need it. HB1269 would allow service providers, in some situations, to hire qualified workers currently unable to be employed because of a prior offense that often is totally unrelated to their ability to do the job, and without any risk to the public.

Please vote YES on HB1269. Removing barrier crime rules for employment in mental health/addiction services allows the experts to get to work. Long term recovery from substance use disorder is possible, and peer recovery specialists with lived experience are crucial for ending the opioid crisis. I am sober today because individuals in recovery gave me hope and guided the way by sharing their experience. Those that have been incarcerated and pursue recovery are in a unique position to be of great service to others facing similar challenges. A sense of purpose and usefulness goes a long way to staying in recovery and being a reliable community member.

vote YES. Makes me think of how Peer support is an effective support intervention because they are relatable. Ones that have been through struggles are often exactly the most helpful and credible and trusted to others in the same spot.

vote YES, people can change. Just look at the current Speaker of the House, who was given a fair second look and is now a powerful influential figure

With the tremendous need for mental health and addiction counselors, we need to encourage those who have the desire and the skills to work with this population. Please vote YES to pass HB1269. People do change.

Comments Document

Dear Chair Sickles and Vice Chair Tran: Attached please find written testimony from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) requesting amendments to H.B. 1340 . Thank you for your consideration of our position on this important issue.

My name is Michael Gordon. I am a recovering addict. My clean date is 06/06/2008. I writing this letter because it my duty as a health professional to bring to the table how important it is that we change the barrier crime law. I have spent countless hours and days working with other addicts who trying to find their pathway into recovery. The frontlines are thin because the people whom society deemed unworthy because of some past mistakes cannot work in the field that they could do the greatest good. I did not know when I received my sentence in 1990 for distribution of crack cocaine. I would be serving a life time sentence. Luck for me I don’t have a barrier crime, yet today after getting my GED, going to college and graduating with honors. I still can live in certain areas or have certain jobs. I went from the crack house to the White House and still that not enough for Virginia to forgive me of my past mistakes. We need more people who has made a deep commitment to change to share their experiences with others who are suffering!!