{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/37.2-601.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/37.2-601.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/37.2-601.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/37.2-601.html"}],"law_id":79192,"edition_id":1,"section_id":79192,"structure_id":13973,"section_number":"37.2-601","catch_line":"Behavioral health authorities; purpose","history":"1995, c. 693, \u00a7\u00a7 15.1-1676, 15.1-1678; 1996, c. 861; 1997, c. 587, \u00a7\u00a7 37.1-242, 37.1-244; 1998, c. 680; 2005, c. 716; 2010, c. 28; 2012, cc. 476, 507; 2017, cc. 458, 607, 683; 2023, c. 484.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Department, for the purposes of establishing, maintaining, and promoting the development of behavioral health services in the Commonwealth, may provide funds to assist certain cities or counties in the provision of these services. In order to provide comprehensive mental health, developmental, and substance abuse services within a continuum of care, the behavioral health authority shall function as the single point of entry into publicly funded mental health, developmental, and substance abuse services.B\n\nThe governing body of the City of Richmond or Virginia Beach or Chesterfield County may establish a behavioral health authority and shall declare its intention to do so by resolution.C\n\nThe behavioral health services provided by behavioral health authorities within the cities or counties they serve shall include:1\n\nEmergency services;2\n\nSame-day mental health screening services;3\n\nOutpatient primary care screening and monitoring services for physical health indicators and health risks and follow-up services for individuals identified as being in need of assistance with overcoming barriers to accessing primary health services, including developing linkages to primary health care providers; and4\n\nSubject to the availability of funds appropriated for them, case management services.D\n\nSubject to the availability of funds appropriated for them, the behavioral health services may include a comprehensive system of inpatient, outpatient, day support, residential, prevention, early intervention, and other appropriate mental health, developmental, and substance abuse services necessary to provide individualized services and supports to persons with mental illness, developmental disabilities, or substance abuse. Behavioral health authorities may establish crisis stabilization units that provide residential crisis stabilization services.E\n\nThe purpose of behavioral health services provided by behavioral health authorities shall be to enable individuals who have a mental illness or substance use disorder that significantly impairs their functioning to access effective, timely, and cost-efficient services that help them (i) overcome or manage functional impairments caused by the mental illness or substance use disorder and (ii) remain in the community to the greatest extent possible, consistent with the individual’s well-being and public safety.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":283587,"text":"The Department, for the purposes of establishing, maintaining, and promoting the development of behavioral health services in the Commonwealth, may provide funds to assist certain cities or counties in the provision of these services. In order to provide comprehensive mental health, developmental, and substance abuse services within a continuum of care, the behavioral health authority shall function as the single point of entry into publicly funded mental health, developmental, and substance abuse services.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":283588,"text":"The governing body of the City of Richmond or Virginia Beach or Chesterfield County may establish a behavioral health authority and shall declare its intention to do so by resolution.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":283589,"text":"The behavioral health services provided by behavioral health authorities within the cities or counties they serve shall include:","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"C1"},"3":{"id":283590,"text":"Emergency services;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"4":{"id":283591,"text":"Same-day mental health screening services;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1","next_prefix":"C3"},"5":{"id":283592,"text":"Outpatient primary care screening and monitoring services for physical health indicators and health risks and follow-up services for individuals identified as being in need of assistance with overcoming barriers to accessing primary health services, including developing linkages to primary health care providers; and","type":"section","prefixes":["C","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"C3","prefix_anchor":"C3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"C4"},"6":{"id":283593,"text":"Subject to the availability of funds appropriated for them, case management services.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"C4","prefix_anchor":"C4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C3","next_prefix":"D"},"7":{"id":283594,"text":"Subject to the availability of funds appropriated for them, the behavioral health services may include a comprehensive system of inpatient, outpatient, day support, residential, prevention, early intervention, and other appropriate mental health, developmental, and substance abuse services necessary to provide individualized services and supports to persons with mental illness, developmental disabilities, or substance abuse. Behavioral health authorities may establish crisis stabilization units that provide residential crisis stabilization services.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C4","next_prefix":"E"},"8":{"id":283595,"text":"The purpose of behavioral health services provided by behavioral health authorities shall be to enable individuals who have a mental illness or substance use disorder that significantly impairs their functioning to access effective, timely, and cost-efficient services that help them (i) overcome or manage functional impairments caused by the mental illness or substance use disorder and (ii) remain in the community to the greatest extent possible, consistent with the individual’s well-being and public safety.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13973,"edition_id":1,"name":"Behavioral Health Authorities","identifier":"6","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13087,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:28","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:28","permalink":{"id":210087,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13973,"identifier":"6","token":"37.2\/II\/6","url":"\/37.2\/II\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13087,"edition_id":1,"name":"Behavioral Health and Developmental Services","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12843,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:16","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:16","permalink":{"id":210023,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13087,"identifier":"II","token":"37.2\/II","url":"\/37.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12843,"edition_id":1,"name":"Behavioral Health and Developmental Services","identifier":"37.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:56","permalink":{"id":209673,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12843,"identifier":"37.2","token":"37.2","url":"\/37.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":65047,"structure_id":13973,"section_number":"37.2-600","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/37.2-600\/","token":"37.2\/II\/6\/37.2-600","metadata":false},{"id":79192,"structure_id":13973,"section_number":"37.2-601","catch_line":"Behavioral health authorities; purpose","url":"\/37.2-601\/","token":"37.2\/II\/6\/37.2-601","metadata":false},{"id":87433,"structure_id":13973,"section_number":"37.2-602","catch_line":"Board of directors; appointment; membership","url":"\/37.2-602\/","token":"37.2\/II\/6\/37.2-602","metadata":false},{"id":86803,"structure_id":13973,"section_number":"37.2-603","catch_line":"Board of directors; terms; vacancies; removal","url":"\/37.2-603\/","token":"37.2\/II\/6\/37.2-603","metadata":false},{"id":59443,"structure_id":13973,"section_number":"37.2-604","catch_line":"Board of directors; officers; meetings","url":"\/37.2-604\/","token":"37.2\/II\/6\/37.2-604","metadata":false},{"id":83745,"structure_id":13973,"section_number":"37.2-605","catch_line":"Behavioral health authorities; powers and duties","url":"\/37.2-605\/","token":"37.2\/II\/6\/37.2-605","metadata":false},{"id":72901,"structure_id":13973,"section_number":"37.2-606","catch_line":"Coordination of services for preadmission screening and discharge planning","url":"\/37.2-606\/","token":"37.2\/II\/6\/37.2-606","metadata":false},{"id":72398,"structure_id":13973,"section_number":"37.2-607","catch_line":"Background check required","url":"\/37.2-607\/","token":"37.2\/II\/6\/37.2-607","metadata":false},{"id":85448,"structure_id":13973,"section_number":"37.2-608","catch_line":"Performance contract for mental health, developmental, and substance abuse services","url":"\/37.2-608\/","token":"37.2\/II\/6\/37.2-608","metadata":false},{"id":62038,"structure_id":13973,"section_number":"37.2-609","catch_line":"Exemption from taxation","url":"\/37.2-609\/","token":"37.2\/II\/6\/37.2-609","metadata":false},{"id":56744,"structure_id":13973,"section_number":"37.2-610","catch_line":"Transfer of facilities and assets","url":"\/37.2-610\/","token":"37.2\/II\/6\/37.2-610","metadata":false},{"id":63802,"structure_id":13973,"section_number":"37.2-611","catch_line":"Local appropriations; allocation of funds by Department; reduction of funds","url":"\/37.2-611\/","token":"37.2\/II\/6\/37.2-611","metadata":false},{"id":55036,"structure_id":13973,"section_number":"37.2-612","catch_line":"Liability for expenses of services","url":"\/37.2-612\/","token":"37.2\/II\/6\/37.2-612","metadata":false},{"id":80506,"structure_id":13973,"section_number":"37.2-613","catch_line":"Proceedings for dissolution","url":"\/37.2-613\/","token":"37.2\/II\/6\/37.2-613","metadata":false},{"id":81116,"structure_id":13973,"section_number":"37.2-614","catch_line":"When powers and duties cease to exist","url":"\/37.2-614\/","token":"37.2\/II\/6\/37.2-614","metadata":false},{"id":65686,"structure_id":13973,"section_number":"37.2-615","catch_line":"Authority to enter into joint agreements","url":"\/37.2-615\/","token":"37.2\/II\/6\/37.2-615","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":65047,"structure_id":13973,"section_number":"37.2-600","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/37.2-600\/","token":"37.2\/II\/6\/37.2-600","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":87433,"structure_id":13973,"section_number":"37.2-602","catch_line":"Board of directors; appointment; membership","url":"\/37.2-602\/","token":"37.2\/II\/6\/37.2-602","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/37.2-601\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1995. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 693<\/a> 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. It has been modified 8 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 1996, chapter 861<\/a>; in 1997, chapter 587<\/a>; in 1998, chapter 680<\/a>; in 2005, chapter 716<\/a>; in 2010, chapter 28<\/a>; in 2012, chapters 476<\/a> and 507<\/a>; in 2017, chapters 458<\/a>, 607<\/a>, and 683<\/a>; in 2023, chapter 484<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":85448,"section_number":"37.2-608","catch_line":"Performance contract for mental health, developmental, and substance abuse services","order_by":null,"url":"\/37.2-608\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":210093,"object_type":"law","relational_id":79192,"identifier":"37.2-601","token":"37.2\/II\/6\/37.2-601","url":"\/37.2-601\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/37.2-601\/","token":"37.2\/II\/6\/37.2-601","dublin_core":{"Title":"Behavioral health authorities; purpose","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 37.2-601","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Department<\/span>, for the purposes of establishing, maintaining, and promoting the development of behavioral health services<\/span> in the Commonwealth, may provide funds to assist certain cities or counties in the provision of these services. In order<\/span> to provide comprehensive mental health, developmental, and substance abuse<\/span> services within a continuum of care, the behavioral health authority<\/span> shall function as the single point of entry into publicly funded mental health, developmental, and substance abuse<\/span> services. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The governing body of the City of Richmond or Virginia Beach or Chesterfield County may establish a behavioral health authority<\/span> and shall declare its intention to do so by resolution. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The behavioral health services<\/span> provided by behavioral health authorities within the cities or counties they serve shall include: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Emergency services; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Same-day mental health screening services; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Outpatient primary care screening and monitoring services for physical health indicators and health risks and follow-up services for individuals<\/span> identified as being in need of assistance with overcoming barriers to accessing primary health services, including developing linkages to primary health care providers; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Subject to the availability of funds appropriated for them, case management services. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Subject to the availability of funds appropriated for them, the behavioral health services<\/span> may include a comprehensive system of inpatient, outpatient, day support, residential, prevention, early intervention, and other appropriate mental health, developmental, and substance abuse<\/span> services necessary to provide individualized services and supports to persons with mental illness<\/span>, developmental disabilities, or substance abuse<\/span>. Behavioral health authorities may establish crisis stabilization units that provide residential crisis stabilization services. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The purpose of behavioral health services<\/span> provided by behavioral health authorities shall be to enable individuals<\/span> who have a mental illness<\/span> or substance use disorder that significantly impairs their functioning to access effective, timely, and cost-efficient services that help them (i) overcome or manage functional impairments caused by the mental illness<\/span> or substance use disorder and (ii) remain in the community to the greatest extent possible, consistent with the individual<\/span>’s well-being and public safety. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nBEHAVIORAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES; PURPOSE (\u00a7 37.2-601)\n\nA. The Department, for the purposes of establishing, maintaining, and promoting\nthe development of behavioral health services in the Commonwealth, may provide\nfunds to assist certain cities or counties in the provision of these services.\nIn order to provide comprehensive mental health, developmental, and substance\nabuse services within a continuum of care, the behavioral health authority shall\nfunction as the single point of entry into publicly funded mental health,\ndevelopmental, and substance abuse services.\n\nB. The governing body of the City of Richmond or Virginia Beach or Chesterfield\nCounty may establish a behavioral health authority and shall declare its\nintention to do so by resolution.\n\nC. The behavioral health services provided by behavioral health authorities\nwithin the cities or counties they serve shall include:\n\n 1. Emergency services;\n\n 2. Same-day mental health screening services;\n\n 3. Outpatient primary care screening and monitoring services for physical\n health indicators and health risks and follow-up services for individuals\n identified as being in need of assistance with overcoming barriers to\n accessing primary health services, including developing linkages to primary\n health care providers; and\n\n 4. Subject to the availability of funds appropriated for them, case management\n services.\n\nD. Subject to the availability of funds appropriated for them, the behavioral\nhealth services may include a comprehensive system of inpatient, outpatient, day\nsupport, residential, prevention, early intervention, and other appropriate\nmental health, developmental, and substance abuse services necessary to provide\nindividualized services and supports to persons with mental illness,\ndevelopmental disabilities, or substance abuse. Behavioral health authorities\nmay establish crisis stabilization units that provide residential crisis\nstabilization services.\n\nE. The purpose of behavioral health services provided by behavioral health\nauthorities shall be to enable individuals who have a mental illness or\nsubstance use disorder that significantly impairs their functioning to access\neffective, timely, and cost-efficient services that help them (i) overcome or\nmanage functional impairments caused by the mental illness or substance use\ndisorder and (ii) remain in the community to the greatest extent possible,\nconsistent with the individual’s well-being and public safety.\n\nHISTORY: 1995, c. 693, \u00a7\u00a7 15.1-1676, 15.1-1678; 1996, c. 861; 1997, c. 587,\n\u00a7\u00a7 37.1-242, 37.1-244; 1998, c. 680; 2005, c. 716; 2010, c. 28; 2012, cc. 476,\n507; 2017, cc. 458, 607, 683; 2023, c. 484.","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}}