{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/16.1-346.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/16.1-346.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/16.1-346.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/16.1-346.1.html"}],"law_id":63455,"edition_id":1,"section_id":63455,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-346.1","catch_line":"Discharge plan","history":"1991, c. 159; 1995, c. 304; 2005, cc. 346, 716; 2010, cc. 778, 825.","full_text":"Prior to discharge of any minor admitted to inpatient treatment, including a minor in detention or shelter care pursuant to an order of a juvenile and domestic relations district court, a discharge plan shall be formulated, provided and explained to the minor, and copies thereof shall be sent (i) to the minor’s parents or (ii) if the minor is in the custody of the local department of social services, to the department’s director or the director’s designee or (iii) to the minor’s parents and (a) if the juvenile is to be housed in a detention home upon discharge, to the court in which the petition has been filed and the facility superintendent, or (b) if the minor is in custody of the local department of social services, to the department. A copy of the plan shall also be provided, upon request, to the minor’s attorney and guardian ad litem. If the minor was admitted to a state facility, the discharge plan shall be contained in a uniform discharge document developed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. The plan shall, at a minimum, (i) specify the services required by the released minor in the community to meet his needs for treatment, housing, nutrition, physical care, and safety; (ii) specify any income subsidies for which the minor is eligible; (iii) identify all local and state agencies which will be involved in providing treatment and support to the minor; and (iv) specify services which would be appropriate for the minor’s treatment and support in the community but which are currently unavailable. A minor in detention or shelter care prior to admission to inpatient treatment shall be returned to the detention home, shelter care, or other facility approved by the Department of Juvenile Justice within 24 hours by the sheriff serving the jurisdiction where the minor was detained upon release from the treating facility, unless the juvenile and domestic relations district court having jurisdiction over the case has provided written authorization for release of the minor, prior to the scheduled date of release.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":231225,"text":"Prior to discharge of any minor admitted to inpatient treatment, including a minor in detention or shelter care pursuant to an order of a juvenile and domestic relations district court, a discharge plan shall be formulated, provided and explained to the minor, and copies thereof shall be sent (i) to the minor’s parents or (ii) if the minor is in the custody of the local department of social services, to the department’s director or the director’s designee or (iii) to the minor’s parents and (a) if the juvenile is to be housed in a detention home upon discharge, to the court in which the petition has been filed and the facility superintendent, or (b) if the minor is in custody of the local department of social services, to the department. A copy of the plan shall also be provided, upon request, to the minor’s attorney and guardian ad litem. If the minor was admitted to a state facility, the discharge plan shall be contained in a uniform discharge document developed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. The plan shall, at a minimum, (i) specify the services required by the released minor in the community to meet his needs for treatment, housing, nutrition, physical care, and safety; (ii) specify any income subsidies for which the minor is eligible; (iii) identify all local and state agencies which will be involved in providing treatment and support to the minor; and (iv) specify services which would be appropriate for the minor’s treatment and support in the community but which are currently unavailable. A minor in detention or shelter care prior to admission to inpatient treatment shall be returned to the detention home, shelter care, or other facility approved by the Department of Juvenile Justice within 24 hours by the sheriff serving the jurisdiction where the minor was detained upon release from the treating facility, unless the juvenile and domestic relations district court having jurisdiction over the case has provided written authorization for release of the minor, prior to the scheduled date of release.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":12702,"edition_id":1,"name":"Psychiatric Treatment of Minors Act","identifier":"16","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12701,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":161253,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12702,"identifier":"16","token":"16.1\/11\/16","url":"\/16.1\/11\/16\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12701,"edition_id":1,"name":"Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts","identifier":"11","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12700,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":160945,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12701,"identifier":"11","token":"16.1\/11","url":"\/16.1\/11\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12700,"edition_id":1,"name":"Courts Not of Record","identifier":"16.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":160919,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12700,"identifier":"16.1","token":"16.1","url":"\/16.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":74549,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-335","catch_line":"Short title","url":"\/16.1-335\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-335","metadata":false},{"id":80739,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-336","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/16.1-336\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-336","metadata":false},{"id":64915,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-336.1","catch_line":"Admission forms","url":"\/16.1-336.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-336.1","metadata":false},{"id":81231,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-337","catch_line":"Inpatient treatment of minors; general applicability; disclosure of records","url":"\/16.1-337\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-337","metadata":false},{"id":85004,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-337.1","catch_line":"Order of involuntary commitment or mandatory outpatient treatment forwarded to Central Criminal Records Exchange; certain voluntary admissions forwarded to Central Criminal Records Exchange; firearm background check","url":"\/16.1-337.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-337.1","metadata":false},{"id":77269,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-338","catch_line":"Parental admission of minors younger than 14 and nonobjecting minors 14 years of age or older","url":"\/16.1-338\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-338","metadata":false},{"id":53935,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-339","catch_line":"Parental admission of an objecting minor 14 years of age or older","url":"\/16.1-339\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-339","metadata":false},{"id":61197,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-339.1","catch_line":"Minors in detention homes or shelter care facilities","url":"\/16.1-339.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-339.1","metadata":false},{"id":75459,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-340","catch_line":"Emergency custody; issuance and execution of order","url":"\/16.1-340\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-340","metadata":false},{"id":68740,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-340.1","catch_line":"Involuntary temporary detention; issuance and execution of order","url":"\/16.1-340.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-340.1","metadata":false},{"id":81671,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-340.1:1","catch_line":"Facility of temporary detention","url":"\/16.1-340.1_1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-340.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":85419,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-340.2","catch_line":"Transportation of minor in the temporary detention process","url":"\/16.1-340.2\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-340.2","metadata":false},{"id":60394,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-340.3","catch_line":"Release of minor prior to commitment hearing for involuntary admission","url":"\/16.1-340.3\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-340.3","metadata":false},{"id":80218,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-340.4","catch_line":"Involuntary commitment; preadmission screening report","url":"\/16.1-340.4\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-340.4","metadata":false},{"id":80409,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-341","catch_line":"Involuntary commitment; petition; hearing scheduled; notice and appointment of counsel","url":"\/16.1-341\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-341","metadata":false},{"id":86415,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-342","catch_line":"Involuntary commitment; clinical evaluation","url":"\/16.1-342\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-342","metadata":false},{"id":81468,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-343","catch_line":"Involuntary commitment; duties of attorney for the minor","url":"\/16.1-343\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-343","metadata":false},{"id":56572,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-344","catch_line":"Involuntary commitment; hearing","url":"\/16.1-344\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-344","metadata":false},{"id":58318,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-345","catch_line":"Involuntary commitment; criteria","url":"\/16.1-345\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-345","metadata":false},{"id":65738,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-345.1","catch_line":"Use of electronic communication","url":"\/16.1-345.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-345.1","metadata":false},{"id":86950,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-345.2","catch_line":"Mandatory outpatient treatment; criteria; orders","url":"\/16.1-345.2\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-345.2","metadata":false},{"id":64056,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-345.3","catch_line":"Monitoring mandatory outpatient treatment; motion for review","url":"\/16.1-345.3\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-345.3","metadata":false},{"id":63926,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-345.4","catch_line":"Court review of mandatory outpatient treatment plan","url":"\/16.1-345.4\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-345.4","metadata":false},{"id":71978,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-345.5","catch_line":"Continuation of mandatory outpatient treatment order","url":"\/16.1-345.5\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-345.5","metadata":false},{"id":59197,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-345.6","catch_line":"Appeal of final order","url":"\/16.1-345.6\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-345.6","metadata":false},{"id":58903,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-346","catch_line":"Treatment plans; periodic review of status","url":"\/16.1-346\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-346","metadata":false},{"id":63455,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-346.1","catch_line":"Discharge plan","url":"\/16.1-346.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-346.1","metadata":false},{"id":57843,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-347","catch_line":"Fees and expenses for qualified evaluators","url":"\/16.1-347\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-347","metadata":false},{"id":62629,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-348","catch_line":"Availability of judge","url":"\/16.1-348\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-348","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":58903,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-346","catch_line":"Treatment plans; periodic review of status","url":"\/16.1-346\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-346","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":57843,"structure_id":12702,"section_number":"16.1-347","catch_line":"Fees and expenses for qualified evaluators","url":"\/16.1-347\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-347","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/16.1-346.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1991. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 159 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1991 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1995, chapter 304<\/a>; in 2005, chapters 346<\/a> and 716<\/a>; in 2010, chapters 778<\/a> and 825<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":161359,"object_type":"law","relational_id":63455,"identifier":"16.1-346.1","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-346.1","url":"\/16.1-346.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/16.1-346.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/16\/16.1-346.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Discharge plan","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 16.1-346.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Prior to discharge of any minor<\/span> admitted to inpatient treatment<\/span>, including a minor<\/span> in detention or shelter care<\/span> pursuant to an order<\/span> of a juvenile and domestic relations district court, a discharge plan shall be formulated, provided and explained to the minor<\/span>, and copies thereof shall be sent (i) to the minor<\/span>’s parents<\/span> or (ii) if the minor<\/span> is in the custody<\/span> of the local department<\/span> of social services, to the department<\/span>’s director<\/span> or the director<\/span>’s designee or (iii) to the minor<\/span>’s parents<\/span> and (a) if the juvenile is to be housed in a detention home<\/span> upon discharge, to the court<\/span> in which the petition<\/span> has been filed and the facility superintendent, or (b) if the minor<\/span> is in custody<\/span> of the local department<\/span> of social services, to the department<\/span>. A copy of the plan shall also be provided, upon request, to the minor<\/span>’s attorney and guardian ad litem<\/span>. If the minor<\/span> was admitted to a state facility, the discharge plan shall be contained in a uniform discharge document developed by the Department<\/span> of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. The plan shall, at a minimum, (i) specify the services required by the released minor<\/span> in the community to meet his needs for treatment, housing, nutrition, physical care, and safety; (ii) specify any income subsidies for which the minor<\/span> is eligible; (iii) identify all local and state agencies which will be involved in providing treatment and support to the minor<\/span>; and (iv) specify services which would be appropriate for the minor<\/span>’s treatment and support in the community but which are currently unavailable. A minor<\/span> in detention or shelter care<\/span> prior to admission to inpatient treatment<\/span> shall be returned to the detention home<\/span>, shelter care<\/span>, or other facility approved by the Department<\/span> of Juvenile Justice within 24 hours by the sheriff serving the jurisdiction<\/span> where the minor<\/span> was detained upon release from the treating facility, unless the juvenile and domestic relations district court having jurisdiction<\/span> over the case has provided written authorization for release of the minor<\/span>, prior to the scheduled date of release.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDISCHARGE PLAN (\u00a7 16.1-346.1)\n\nPrior to discharge of any minor admitted to inpatient treatment, including a\nminor in detention or shelter care pursuant to an order of a juvenile and\ndomestic relations district court, a discharge plan shall be formulated,\nprovided and explained to the minor, and copies thereof shall be sent (i) to the\nminor’s parents or (ii) if the minor is in the custody of the local\ndepartment of social services, to the department’s director or the\ndirector’s designee or (iii) to the minor’s parents and (a) if the\njuvenile is to be housed in a detention home upon discharge, to the court in\nwhich the petition has been filed and the facility superintendent, or (b) if the\nminor is in custody of the local department of social services, to the\ndepartment. A copy of the plan shall also be provided, upon request, to the\nminor’s attorney and guardian ad litem. If the minor was admitted to a\nstate facility, the discharge plan shall be contained in a uniform discharge\ndocument developed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental\nServices. The plan shall, at a minimum, (i) specify the services required by the\nreleased minor in the community to meet his needs for treatment, housing,\nnutrition, physical care, and safety; (ii) specify any income subsidies for\nwhich the minor is eligible; (iii) identify all local and state agencies which\nwill be involved in providing treatment and support to the minor; and (iv)\nspecify services which would be appropriate for the minor’s treatment and\nsupport in the community but which are currently unavailable. A minor in\ndetention or shelter care prior to admission to inpatient treatment shall be\nreturned to the detention home, shelter care, or other facility approved by the\nDepartment of Juvenile Justice within 24 hours by the sheriff serving the\njurisdiction where the minor was detained upon release from the treating\nfacility, unless the juvenile and domestic relations district court having\njurisdiction over the case has provided written authorization for release of the\nminor, prior to the scheduled date of release.\n\nHISTORY: 1991, c. 159; 1995, c. 304; 2005, cc. 346, 716; 2010, cc. 778, 825.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}