HB 659

Abstract

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to establish a work group to study and make recommendations regarding appropriate investigations of the deaths of individuals who die while receiving services from a licensed program. Directs the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (the Department) to establish a work group to study and make recommendations regarding appropriate investigations, including recommendations regarding when autopsies may be appropriate, of the deaths of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are residents of the Commonwealth and who die while receiving services from a program licensed by the Department. The bill requires the work group to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions and the Senate Committee on Education and Health by November 1, 2022.

Department of Behavioral Health and DevelopmentalServices to establish a work group to study and make recommendationsregarding the cases in which the Office of the Chief Medical Examinershall conduct an investigation of the death of a person who dieswhile receiving services from a licensed program. Directs theDepartment of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (the Department)to establish a work group, which shall include representatives ofthe Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the disAbilty Law Centerof Virginia, providers of behavioral health services licensed by the Department, and other appropriate stakeholders, to study and make recommendations regarding the cases in which the Office of the ChiefMedical Examiner shall conduct an investigation of the death, includingan autopsy, of a person who dies while receiving services from aprogram licensed by the Department. The bill requires the work groupto report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and theChairmen of the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutionsand the Senate Committee on Education and Health by November 1, 2022.