Virginia Law

The following words or terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Authorized representative" or "AR" means a person permitted by law or regulation to authorize the disclosure of information or to consent to treatment and services or participation in human research.

"Community services board" or "CSB" means the public body established pursuant to § 37.2-501 of the Code of Virginia that provides mental health, developmental, and substance abuse services to individuals within each city or county that established it. For the purpose of this chapter, community services board also includes a behavioral health authority established pursuant to § 37.2-602 of the Code of Virginia.

"Day pass" means authorized leave from a state facility without a staff escort generally occurring during the day and not extending overnight.

"Department" means the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

"Home visit" means an authorized overnight absence from a state hospital or training center that allows an individual to spend time with an authorized representative or other responsible person.

"Individual" means a person who is receiving services in a state hospital or training center. This term includes the terms "consumer," "patient," "resident," and "client."

"Individualized services plan" or "ISP" means a comprehensive and regularly updated written plan that describes the individual's needs, the measurable goals and objectives to address those needs, and strategies to reach the individual's goals. An ISP is person-centered, empowers the individual, and is designed to meet the needs and preferences of the individual. The ISP is developed through a partnership between the individual and the provider. An individual's treatment plan, habilitation plan, person-centered plan, or plan of care are all considered individualized services plans .

"Missing person" means an individual who is not physically present when and where he should be and his absence cannot be accounted for or explained.

"Responsible person" means an individual's parent, spouse, legal guardian, relative, friend, or other person whom the facility director determines is capable of providing the individual with the needed care and supervision and, if the individual has an AR, for whom the AR has given written consent to supervise the individual during temporary leave from the state facility.

"State facility" or "facility" means a state hospital or training center operated by the department for the care and treatment of individuals with mental illness or intellectual disability.

"Trial visit" means an authorized overnight absence from a state facility without a staff escort for the purpose of assessing an individual's readiness for discharge. Trial visits do not include special hospitalizations, facility-sponsored summer camps, or other facility-sponsored activities that involve staff supervision.