Virginia Law

A. The Commissioner, subject to the approval of the Board and the Governor, shall determine the necessity for and select the site of any new state facility and any land to be taken or purchased by the Commonwealth for the purposes of any new or existing state facility. The Commissioner shall have charge of the construction of any new building at any state facility, shall determine the design of the building, and may employ architects and other experts or hold competitions for plans and designs for this purpose. If any land or property is taken or purchased by the Board, title shall be taken in the name of the Commonwealth.

B. If any building standing on property under the supervision and control of the Department is in such a state of dilapidation or disrepair that it is, in the opinion of the Commissioner, dangerous to individuals receiving services, employees of the Department, or other persons frequenting that property, the Commissioner may, with the approval of the Board and the Governor, cause the building to be torn down or razed. For this purpose, the Commissioner may contract with any person on the terms that he deems expedient and may sell or otherwise dispose of the materials composing the building.

Code 1950, §§ 37-34.1, 37-34.2; 1950, p. 901; 1952, c. 480; 1968, c. 477, §§ 37.1-11, 37.1-12; 1980, c. 582; 2005, c. 716; 2012, cc. 476, 507.

The Commissioner is hereby authorized to examine the condition of the state facilities operated by the Department based upon the practices and methods employed by the Department in the care and treatment of individuals admitted to any state facility. No property that is being used for the care and treatment of individuals receiving services or that is reasonably related to the present or future needs of the Department for care and treatment of individuals receiving services shall be declared surplus.

Code 1950, § 37-34.2:2; 1958, c. 556; 1968, c. 477, § 37.1-13; 1976, c. 671; 1978, c. 770; 1980, c. 582; 2005, c. 716; 2012, cc. 476, 507.

The Department shall establish and operate a separate geriatric unit within each state facility that serves significant numbers of elderly individuals. Each unit shall provide care and treatment for those individuals and shall be separated in a reasonable manner from the rest of the state facility.

The Board may, giving full consideration to the needs and resources available, authorize the establishment of free-standing state facilities for elderly individuals receiving services.

1974, c. 402, § 37.1-24.2; 1980, c. 582; 2005, c. 716; 2012, cc. 476, 507.

The Commissioner shall prescribe and cause to be established and maintained at all state facilities:

(a) A uniform, proper, and approved system of keeping the records and accounts and making reports of money received and disbursed; and

(b) An efficient system of keeping records concerning the individuals admitted to or receiving services in each state facility.

The Board, the Commissioner, and their duly authorized agents shall at all times have access to such records, accounts, and reports required to be kept under the provisions of this title.

Code 1950, §§ 37-45, 37-46; 1950, p. 902; 1968, c. 477, § 37.1-27; 1976, c. 671; 1980, c. 582; 1984, c. 734; 2005, c. 716; 2012, cc. 476, 507.

The Commissioner, under any provision of federal law and regulation and with the approval of the Governor, may be appointed or function as the agent to whom payments may be made on behalf of any beneficiary in state facilities. These payments shall be expended for the use and benefit of the individuals receiving services to whom they would otherwise be payable, and any residue resulting from such payments shall be set aside in a special fund to the credit of the individual on whose account the payment is made. The charges provided for by law for the care of the individual receiving services shall be defrayed from such payments. The provisions of subsection C of § 37.2-705 shall apply to any payments received under this section.

Code 1950, § 37-48.1; 1954, c. 412; 1958, c. 446; 1968, c. 477, § 37.1-28; 1980, c. 582; 2005, c. 716; 2012, cc. 476, 507.

A. The Commissioner is hereby authorized to provide for the deposit with the director or other proper officer of any state facility of any money given or provided for the purpose of supplying extra comforts, conveniences, or services to any individual in a state facility and any money otherwise received and held from, for, or on behalf of any individual in a state facility.

B. All funds so provided or received shall be deposited to the credit of the state facility in a special fund in a bank or banks designated by the Commissioner and shall be disbursed as may be required by the respective donors or, in the absence of such requirement, as directed by the director.

C. The director of each state facility shall furnish to the Commissioner annually a statement showing the amounts of funds received and deposited, the amounts expended, and the amounts remaining in such special funds at the end of the year. The Commissioner shall have authority to invest so much of the remaining funds as he may deem proper in United States government bonds or other securities authorized by law for the investment of fiduciary funds. The interest from these investments may be expended as a part of a welfare fund at each state facility.

D. If any individual receiving services for whose benefit any such fund has been or shall be provided has departed or shall depart from any state facility, leaving any unexpended balance in such fund, and the director, in the exercise of reasonable diligence, has been or shall be unable to find the person or persons entitled to such unexpended balance, the Commissioner may, after the lapse of three years from the date of such departure, authorize the use of the balance for the benefit of all or any of the individuals then in the state facility.

Code 1950, §§ 37-47 to 37-50; 1950, p. 902; 1968, c. 477, §§ 37.1-29 to 37.1-32; 1972, c. 639; 1976, c. 671; 1980, c. 582; 2005, c. 716; 2012, cc. 476, 507.

If any individual receiving services in a state facility dies, is released, is discharged, or escapes and leaves any article of personal property, including bonds, money, and any intangible assets, in the custody of a state facility, the director of the state facility may, after notification in person, by telephone, or by registered mail to the individual, or the known next-of-kin or personal representative of the individual and after the lapse of three years from the date of the death, release, discharge, or escape, if no claim has been made:

1. Sell the personal property at public or private sale and deposit the net proceeds in the welfare fund of the state facility;

2. Retain and issue for use of individuals receiving services articles of clothing suitable for continued use; or

3. Order destruction or other disposal of personal care articles, articles of clothing, and other belongings that are not suitable by reason of their nature or condition for sale or use by others, including personal and private papers, writings, drawings, or photographs that would compromise the privacy or confidentiality of any person who may be the author, creator, or subject of them.

Code 1950, § 37-230.1; 1960, c. 387; 1968, c. 477, § 37.1-33; 1972, c. 639; 1976, c. 671; 1996, cc. 196, 853; 2005, c. 716; 2012, cc. 476, 507.

The Commissioner shall employ a director for each state facility who shall be skilled in facility management and administration and who shall meet requirements that may be determined by the Commissioner. However, the director need not be a physician.

Any director of a state facility employed or reemployed by the Commissioner after July 1, 2002, may be employed as a classified employee or under a contract that specifies the terms and conditions of employment, including compensation, benefits, duties and responsibilities, performance standards, evaluation criteria, and contract termination and renewal provisions. The length of employment contracts shall be two years, with provisions for annual renewals thereafter based on the performance of the incumbent. Any director of a state facility employed by the Commissioner before July 1, 1999, may elect to continue his current employment status subject to the provisions of the Virginia Personnel Act, Chapter 29 (§ 2.2-2900 et seq.) of Title 2.2, or he may choose to be employed under a contract. Any director of a state facility employed under an employment contract shall be exempt from the Virginia Personnel Act, yet he shall remain subject to the provisions of the State Grievance Procedure (§ 2.2-3000 et seq.). Personnel actions under this exemption shall be taken without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, or political affiliation.

Each director shall be responsible to the Commissioner or his designee for the safe, efficient, and effective operation of his state facility. Each director shall take any actions consistent with law necessary to ensure that his facility complies with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations, policies, and agreements. The Commissioner shall evaluate the performance of each director of a state facility at least annually.

Whenever any act required by law to be performed by a director employed hereunder constitutes the practice of medicine, as defined in § 54.1-2900, and the director is not a licensed physician, the act shall be performed by a licensed physician designated by the director.

1978, c. 213, § 37.1-42.2; 1980, c. 582; 1999, c. 576; 2000, cc. 565, 610; 2002, cc. 271, 572; 2005, c. 716; 2020, c. 1137.

The directors and other employees of state facilities shall each annually receive such salaries as shall be fixed from time to time in the appropriation act, and, when they occupy buildings on the grounds or belonging to their state facility, they shall pay the rent that was fixed in accordance with law.

Code 1950, § 14-22; 1964, c. 386, § 14.1-16; 1972, c. 639; 1998, c. 872, § 37.1-42.3; 2005, c. 716.

Each director of a state facility shall notify the Director of the Commonwealth's designated protection and advocacy system, established pursuant to § 51.5-39.13, in writing within 48 hours of critical incidents or deaths of individuals receiving services in the state facility.

1978, c. 213, § 37.1-42.2; 1980, c. 582; 1999, c. 576; 2000, cc. 565, 610; 2002, cc. 271, 572; 2005, c. 716; 2012, cc. 476, 507, 847; 2013, c. 571.

A. In each case in which an individual receiving services in a state hospital or state training center is involved in a critical incident, the director of the state facility, or his designee, shall notify the individual's authorized representative or person identified pursuant to subdivision A 11 of § 37.2-400 regarding the critical incident, any injury to the individual resulting from the critical incident, and any actions taken to address the factors leading to the critical incident and injuries to the individual resulting from the critical incident.

B. To the extent authorized by federal law, notice to an individual's authorized representative or person identified pursuant to subdivision A 11 of § 37.2-400 shall be made by telephone within 24 hours of the critical incident unless the individual's authorized representative or person identified pursuant to subdivision A 11 of § 37.2-400 has requested an alternate means or timeframe for notification. However, if the director, or his designee, is unable to contact the individual's authorized representative or person identified pursuant to subdivision A 11 of § 37.2-400 by telephone within 24 hours of the critical incident, or as otherwise requested, the director, or his designee, shall notify the individual's authorized representative or person identified pursuant to subdivision A 11 of § 37.2-400 of the critical incident, any injury to the individual resulting from the critical incident, and any actions taken to address the factors leading to the critical incident and injuries to the individual resulting from the critical incident, in writing by registered mail to the last known address of the individual's authorized representative or person identified pursuant to subdivision A 11 of § 37.2-400.

C. In cases in which the director of a state facility, or his designee, is unable to identify an individual's authorized representative or person identified pursuant to subdivision A 11 of § 37.2-400 or to obtain the telephone number or last known address of such person despite all reasonable efforts to do so, the provisions of this section shall not apply.

D. For the purposes of this section, "critical incident" shall be defined as serious bodily injury or loss of consciousness requiring medical treatment.

2012, c. 138.

State facilities shall report such data about each individual receiving services and financial data as may be required to the Virginia Patient Level Data system in accordance with Chapter 7.2 (§ 32.1-276.2 et seq.) of Title 32.1.

1985, c. 87, § 37.1-98.2; 1999, c. 764; 2005, c. 716; 2012, cc. 476, 507.

The Department and state facilities may exchange specific information about individuals who are receiving or who have received services with community services boards or behavioral health authorities to monitor the delivery, outcome, and effectiveness of services; however, no publicly available report or information produced or generated by them shall reveal the identity of any individual who is receiving or who has received services. Publicly available information shall be designed to prevent persons from being able to gain access to combinations of characteristic data elements about individuals who are receiving or who have received services that reasonably could be expected to reveal the identity of any individual. In order to collect unduplicated information, the Department, subject to all regulations adopted by the Board or by agencies of the United States government that govern confidentiality of information about individuals who are receiving or who have received services, may require that the individuals disclose or furnish their social security numbers.

1985, c. 87, § 37.1-98.2; 1999, c. 764; 2005, c. 716; 2012, cc. 476, 507.

A. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any state facility may collect and disseminate information concerning the religious preferences and affiliations of individuals receiving services, provided that no individual may be required to indicate his religious preference or affiliation and that no dissemination of the information shall be made except to categories of persons as to whom the individual or his guardian or other legally authorized representative or other fiduciary has given his authorization that dissemination may be made.

B. No authorization given pursuant to this section shall be construed to allow any state facility to disseminate to federal government authorities information concerning the religious preferences and affiliations of individuals receiving services for the purpose of compiling a list, registry, or database of individuals based on religious affiliation, national origin, or ethnicity, unless such dissemination is specifically required by state or federal law.

1977, c. 506, § 37.1-84.1:1; 2005, c. 716; 2012, cc. 476, 507; 2019, c. 774.

For purposes of eligibility for and receipt of social services and public assistance, each individual receiving services in a state facility shall be deemed a resident of the county or city in which he resided at the time of his admission to the state facility, and not of the county or city in which the state facility is located. The Department shall be entitled to receive annually from the Board of Education and the school division where the individual resided at the time of his admission a sum equal to the required local expenditure per pupil, as set forth in the appropriation act, and an additional payment for special education, as applicable, for support of the individual's education. This amount shall be paid by the Board of Education, and the Board shall then deduct that payment from the amount payable by the Board of Education from the basic school aid fund to the school division.

Code 1950, §§ 37-95, 37-191; 1950, p. 912; 1968, c. 477, § 37.1-96; 1974, c. 366; 1975, c. 568; 1976, c. 680; 1986, c. 154; 1987, c. 413; 2005, c. 716; 2010, cc. 386, 629; 2012, cc. 476, 507.

Any child born in a state facility shall be deemed a resident of the county or city in which the mother resided at the time of her admission. The child shall be removed from the state facility as soon after birth as the health and well-being of the child permit and shall be delivered to his other parent or other member of his family. If he is unable to effect the child's removal as herein provided, the director of the state facility shall cause the filing of a petition in the juvenile and domestic relations district court of the county or city in which the child is present, requesting adjudication of the care and custody of the child under the provisions of § 16.1-278.3. If the mother has received services in a state facility continuously for 10 months, the Department of Social Services shall have financial responsibility for the care of the child, and the custody of the child shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of § 16.1-278.3. The judge of such court shall take appropriate action to effect prompt removal of the child from the state facility.

Code 1950, § 37-96; 1950, p. 912; 1958, c. 386; 1964, c. 299; 1968, c. 477, § 37.1-97; 1972, c. 639; 1974, cc. 44, 45; 1976, c. 671; 1980, c. 582; 1991, c. 534; 2005, c. 716; 2012, cc. 476, 507; 2020, c. 900.

The director of every state facility shall establish a process to facilitate virtual visitation through the use of audio and video equipment for individuals receiving services at the state facility.

2022, c. 295.

Any person who has been or who may be admitted to any state facility or who is the subject of counseling or receives treatment from the staff of a state facility shall be deemed to be an individual receiving services for the purposes of this article.

The income and estate of an individual receiving services shall be liable for the expenses of his care, treatment or training, and maintenance in a state facility. Any person responsible for holding, managing, or controlling the income and estate of the individual receiving services shall apply the income and estate toward the expenses of the individual's care, treatment or training, and maintenance.

Any person responsible for the support of an individual receiving services pursuant to § 20-61 shall be liable for the expenses of his care, treatment or training, and maintenance in a state facility. Any such person shall no longer be financially liable, however, when a cumulative total of 1,826 days of (i) care and treatment or training for the individual in a state facility, (ii) utilization by the individual of services or facilities under the jurisdiction or supervision of any community services board or behavioral health authority, or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii) has passed and payment for or a written agreement to pay the charges for 1,826 days of care and services has been made. Not less than three hours of service per day shall be required to include one day in the cumulative total of 1,826 days of utilization of services under the jurisdiction or supervision of a community services board or behavioral health authority. In order to claim this exemption, the person legally liable for the individual shall produce evidence sufficient to prove eligibility for it.

Such expenses shall not exceed the average cost for the particular type of service rendered and shall be determined no less frequently than annually by the Department in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applicable to the health care industry. In no event shall recovery be permitted for amounts more than five years past due. A certificate of the Commissioner or his designee shall be prima facie evidence of the actual charges for the particular type of service rendered.

Code 1950, § 37-125.1; 1950, p. 917; 1952, c. 492; 1956, c. 493; 1960, c. 386; 1962, c. 80; 1968, c. 477, § 37.1-105; 1972, c. 342; 1974, c. 667; 1982, c. 50; 1988, c. 713; 2005, c. 716; 2012, cc. 476, 507.

All funds collected by the Department pursuant to this article shall be paid into a special fund of the state treasury that shall be known and referred to as the Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Revenue Fund.

This fund shall be appropriated and used for the operation of the Department and its state facilities for research and training. Unexpended funds in the Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Revenue Fund at the close of any fiscal year shall be retained in the fund and be available for expenditure in ensuing years as provided herein.

Code 1950, § 37-125.2; 1950, p. 917; 1968, c. 477, § 37.1-106; 1970, c. 758; 1976, c. 671; 2005, c. 716; 2009, cc. 813, 840.

A. The Department shall investigate and determine which individuals receiving services or parents, guardians, conservators, trustees, or other persons legally responsible for individuals receiving services are financially able to pay the expenses of the care, treatment or training, and maintenance, and the Department shall notify these individuals or their parents, guardians, conservators, trustees, or other legally responsible persons of the expenses of care, treatment or training, and maintenance and, in general, of the provisions of this article.

B. The Department may assess or contract with any individual receiving services or the parent, guardian, conservator, trustee, or other person liable for his support and maintenance to recover care, treatment or training, and maintenance expenses. In arriving at the amount to be paid, the Department shall have due regard for the financial condition and estate of the individual, his present and future needs, and the present and future needs of his lawful dependents. Whenever it is deemed necessary to protect him or his dependents, the Department may assess or agree to accept a monthly sum for the individual's care, treatment or training, and maintenance that is less than the actual per diem cost, provided that the estate of the individual other than income shall not be depleted below the sum of $500. Nothing contained in this title shall be construed as making any such contract permanently binding upon the Department or prohibiting it from periodically reevaluating the actual per diem cost of care, treatment or training, and maintenance and the financial condition and estate of any individual receiving services, his present and future needs, and the present and future needs of his lawful dependents and entering into a new agreement with the individual or the parent, guardian, conservator, trustee, or other person liable for his support and maintenance, increasing or decreasing the sum to be paid for the individual's care, treatment or training, and maintenance.

C. All contracts made by and between the Department and any person acting in a fiduciary capacity for any individual receiving services adjudicated to be incapacitated under the provisions of Article 1 (§ 64.2-2000 et seq.) of Chapter 20 of Title 64.2 and all assessments made by the Department upon that individual or his fiduciaries, providing for payment of the expenses of such individual in any state facility, shall be subject to the approval of any circuit court having jurisdiction over the incapacitated individual's estate or for the county or city in which he resides or from which he was admitted to the state facility.

Code 1950, §§ 37-125.4, 37-125.5; 1950, p. 917; 1956, Ex. Sess., c. 14; 1960, c. 386; 1962, c. 80; 1968, c. 477, §§ 37.1-108, 37.1-109; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 257; 1976, c. 671; 1997, cc. 801, 921; 2005, c. 716; 2012, cc. 476, 507.

A. When any individual receiving services or his guardian, conservator, trustee, or other person liable for his expenses fails to pay those expenses and it appears from investigation that the individual, his guardian, conservator, trustee, or other person liable for his support is able or has sufficient estate to pay the expenses, the Department shall petition the appropriate court having jurisdiction over the estate of the individual or the court for the county or city in which the individual resides or from which he was admitted to a state facility for an order to compel payment of the expenses by the person liable therefor. In any case in which a person liable for the support of the individual is being proceeded against, the petition shall be directed to the appropriate court of the county or city in which the person liable for the support of the individual resides.

B. The individual receiving services and his estate shall first be liable for the payment of his expenses and thereafter, the person liable for the support of the individual. Such person shall be the father, mother, husband, wife, or child of the individual who has attained the age of majority. Multiple persons shall be jointly and severally liable. The Department shall collect part or all of the expenses from the several sources as appears proper under the circumstances and may proceed against all sources, except that the principal or income or both from a trust created for the benefit of the individual shall be liable for payment only as provided in Article 5 (§ 64.2-742 et seq.) of the Uniform Trust Code. In evaluating the circumstances, the Department may consider any events related to the admission of the individual for treatment or training that have affected the person liable, such as the infliction of serious injury by the individual on the person who is liable. The proceedings for the collection of expenses shall conform to the procedure for collection of debts due the Commonwealth.

C. Notice of any hearing on the petition of the Department for an order to compel payment of expenses shall be served at least 15 days prior to the hearing and in the manner provided for the service of civil process on the individual receiving services and, if there is one, on his guardian, conservator, or trustee, on the other person legally responsible for the individual's support, or on the person against whom the proceedings are instituted.

D. At the hearing, the court shall hear the allegations and proofs of the parties and shall by order require full or partial payment of maintenance by the liable parties, if they have sufficient ability, having due regard for the financial condition and estate of the individual receiving services or any other person liable for his expenses, his present and future needs, and the present and future needs of his lawful dependents, if the proceeding is to charge the individual or any other person liable with such expenses.

E. Upon application of any interested party and upon like notice and procedure, the court may at any time modify an order to compel payment of expenses. If the application is made by any party other than the Department, the notice shall be served on the Commissioner.

F. Any party aggrieved by an order or by the judgment of the court may appeal therefrom in the manner provided by law.

G. Any order or judgment rendered by the court hereunder shall have the same force and effect and shall be enforceable in the same manner and form as any judgment recovered in favor of the Commonwealth.

Code 1950, §§ 37-125.6, 37-125.8 to 37-125.12; 1950, p. 918; 1962, c. 80; 1968, c. 477, §§ 37.1-110 to 37.1-115; 1972, cc. 382, 590; 1976, c. 671; 1978, c. 482; 1979, c. 669; 1982, c. 50; 1987, c. 137; 1990, c. 927; 1997, c. 801; 2005, cc. 716, 935; 2012, cc. 476, 507.

The Commissioner may prescribe statement forms that shall be completed by those persons liable under § 37.2-715 for the support of the individual receiving services. The statement shall be sworn to by the person and returned to the Commissioner within 30 days from the time the statement was mailed to the person. Should the person fail to return the properly completed statement to the Commissioner within 30 days, the Commissioner shall send another statement by registered mail. If the statement is not then returned properly completed within 30 days, the person to whom it was sent by registered mail shall be assessed $5 for each week or part of each week in excess of the 30-day period that the statement is overdue. The Department shall collect these assessments in the same manner as other sums due for the care, treatment or training, and maintenance of individuals receiving services from the persons whose duty it was to complete each statement. When collected, these assessments shall be paid into the same fund into which other collections are paid under this article.

A statement of liability imposed by this section shall be placed in a prominent place, in boldface type, upon each statement form.

Code 1950, § 37-125.15; 1952, c. 492; 1956, c. 493; 1958, c. 472; 1962, c. 80; 1968, c. 477, § 37.1-118; 1976, c. 671; 2005, c. 716; 2012, cc. 476, 507.

This article shall not be held or construed to require the Department to collect the expenses of the care, treatment or training, and maintenance of any indigent individual receiving services from that individual or from any person liable for him when investigation discloses that the indigent individual or person liable for his support is without financial means or that such payment would work a hardship on the individual or his family. Neither shall it be the duty or obligation of the Department to institute any proceedings provided for in this article to effect collection where investigation discloses that proceedings would be without effect or would work a hardship on the individual receiving services or the person liable for his support.

Code 1950, § 37-125.13; 1968, c. 477, § 37.1-116; 2005, c. 716; 2012, cc. 476, 507.

Upon the death of any individual who is receiving or who has received services, his estate shall be liable only for the charges remaining unpaid and not more than five years past due and the unsatisfied portion of any judgment rendered by a court in a proceeding under this article. Upon the death of any individual who is receiving or who has received services, the provisions of § 37.2-717, which prohibit depleting the individual's estate below $500, shall after funeral expenses have no further application, and such sum may be applied to the charges of the Department remaining unpaid or may be applied to the unsatisfied portion of any judgment.

Upon the death of any individual who is receiving or who has received services in the event amounts remain unpaid for his care, treatment or training, and maintenance, the Department, having reason to believe that the individual died possessed of real or personal property from which reimbursement may be had, shall prepare and acknowledge, as deeds are acknowledged, a notice showing the name of the individual and the actual per diem cost of maintenance due and shall file the notice within four months of the date of the individual's death in the office of the clerk of the court in which deeds are admitted to record in the county or city in which the real or personal property is located. The clerk of court shall record this notice as a lien is recorded, indexing it in the names of the individual and the Department. The filing of this notice shall create a lien against the estate, both real and personal, of the deceased individual prior to all other claims of the same class except prior liens. No such claim shall be enforced against any real estate of the deceased individual while such real estate is occupied by the surviving spouse of the individual or while such real estate is occupied by any dependent child of the individual.

Code 1950, § 37-125.14; 1952, c. 492; 1954, c. 445; 1968, c. 477, § 37.1-117; 1972, c. 383; 1976, c. 671; 2005, c. 716; 2012, cc. 476, 507.