The Virginia Chapter of the National Shattering Silence Coalition Support SB819

To the Honorable Members of the Virginia General Assembly, I respectfully present that this bill would ultimately harm the recovery community more than it would help. When we faced the overdose crisis, Virginia responded by deregulating Naloxone, making it more accessible for everyone. Now, increasing regulations on recovery housing will reduce the availability of safe, affordable housing. More requirements added to SB838 will create long-term barriers, especially for communities of color and lower-income individuals seeking non-Oxford recovery housing. The idea of criminal penalties for those seeking to help others in recovery—often house managers or owners in recovery themselves—is deeply troubling. What if a house manager runs a recovery home based on spiritual principles not compatible with DBHDS guidelines? What if they answer to higher standards than the Commonwealth? Why is Oxford given a carve-out—does it not have potential for the same abuses this bill targets? Recovery is personal, and it varies widely from individual to individual, community to community. What works in Richmond is not the same as in Northern Virginia or the 81 corridor. A universal set of standards will only limit housing availability everywhere. The goal should be to decentralize recovery, not centralize it. Abuses should be addressed, but at the local level. Homes with problems should face reputational consequences within the communities they serve. Courts, probation, and non-profits already have systems in place to prevent funding poor practices. If someone commits a crime, they should be charged—there's no need for SB838. The call line feature in SB838 is also concerning. In early recovery, people may act out or seek to retaliate when things don’t go their way. This will lead to misuse of the line, tying up resources better spent elsewhere. House managers will be less willing to take risks on people they want to help for fear of vindictive retaliation. As a result, fewer people will have access to safe, effective recovery housing. In conclusion, SB838 should not proceed. If it must, I recommend following West Virginia’s approach—bar recovery housing from public funds rather than criminalizing it. Keep recovery housing independent and decentralized by allowing it to be privately funded. This will help reduce waste, fraud, and abuse. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Nick Yacoub Old Dominion Men's Recovery Center OldDominionRecovery.com 540-751-8601

On behalf of the R Street Institute, I would like to submit the attached testimony in support of SB 841.

The mental health of children and youth is at greater risk than ever, and both the House and Senate supported versions of this bill providing mental health first aid instruction to youth and adults who work with youth. However, this Senate substitute corrects problems in the original wording of both versions. Virginia has been providing the evidence based Mental Health First Aid training for several years, so instead of tasking the state with creating a training, the Senate bill tasks state agencies with encouraging school staff and students to participate in the training. It is important that training maximize opportunities for participation in all schools. It can connect children in distress with appropriate supports, and save lives.