{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/9.1-187.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/9.1-187.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/9.1-187.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/9.1-187.html"}],"law_id":87216,"edition_id":1,"section_id":87216,"structure_id":15488,"section_number":"9.1-187","catch_line":"Establishment of crisis intervention team programs","history":"2009, c. 715; 2012, c. 776.","full_text":"A\n\nBy January 1, 2010, the Department of Criminal Justice Services and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, utilizing such federal or state funding as may be available for this purpose, shall support the development and establishment of crisis intervention team programs in areas throughout the Commonwealth. Areas may be composed of any combination of one or more localities or institutions of higher education contained therein that may have law-enforcement officers as defined in \u00a7 9.1-101. The crisis intervention teams shall assist law-enforcement officers in responding to crisis situations involving persons with mental illness, substance abuse problems, or both. The goals of the crisis intervention team programs shall be:1\n\nProviding immediate response by specially trained law-enforcement officers;2\n\nReducing the amount of time officers spend out of service awaiting assessment and disposition;3\n\nAffording persons with mental illness, substance abuse problems, or both, a sense of dignity in crisis situations;4\n\nReducing the likelihood of physical confrontation;5\n\nDecreasing arrests and use of force;6\n\nIdentifying underserved populations with mental illness, substance abuse problems, or both, and linking them to appropriate care;7\n\nProviding support and assistance for mental health treatment professionals;8\n\nDecreasing the use of arrest and detention of persons experiencing mental health and\/or substance abuse crises by providing better access to timely treatment;9\n\nProviding a therapeutic location or protocol for officers to bring individuals in crisis for assessment that is not a law-enforcement or jail facility;10\n\nIncreasing public recognition and appreciation for the mental health needs of a community;11\n\nDecreasing injuries to law-enforcement officers during crisis events;12\n\nReducing inappropriate arrests of individuals with mental illness in crisis situations; and13\n\nDecreasing the need for mental health treatment in jail.B\n\nThe Department, in collaboration with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, shall establish criteria for the development of crisis intervention teams that shall include assessment of the effectiveness of the area’s plan for community involvement, training, and therapeutic response alternatives and a determination of whether law-enforcement officers have effective agreements with mental health care providers and all other community stakeholders.C\n\nBy November 1, 2009, the Department, and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, shall submit to the Joint Commission on Health Care a report outlining the status of the crisis intervention team programs, including copies of any requests for proposals and the criteria developed for such areas.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":312308,"text":"By January 1, 2010, the Department of Criminal Justice Services and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, utilizing such federal or state funding as may be available for this purpose, shall support the development and establishment of crisis intervention team programs in areas throughout the Commonwealth. Areas may be composed of any combination of one or more localities or institutions of higher education contained therein that may have law-enforcement officers as defined in \u00a7 9.1-101. The crisis intervention teams shall assist law-enforcement officers in responding to crisis situations involving persons with mental illness, substance abuse problems, or both. The goals of the crisis intervention team programs shall be:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":312309,"text":"Providing immediate response by specially trained law-enforcement officers;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":312310,"text":"Reducing the amount of time officers spend out of service awaiting assessment and disposition;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":312311,"text":"Affording persons with mental illness, substance abuse problems, or both, a sense of dignity in crisis situations;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":312312,"text":"Reducing the likelihood of physical confrontation;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"5":{"id":312313,"text":"Decreasing arrests and use of force;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"A6"},"6":{"id":312314,"text":"Identifying underserved populations with mental illness, substance abuse problems, or both, and linking them to appropriate care;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"A6","prefix_anchor":"A6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A5","next_prefix":"A7"},"7":{"id":312315,"text":"Providing support and assistance for mental health treatment professionals;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"A7","prefix_anchor":"A7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A6","next_prefix":"A8"},"8":{"id":312316,"text":"Decreasing the use of arrest and detention of persons experiencing mental health and\/or substance abuse crises by providing better access to timely treatment;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"A8","prefix_anchor":"A8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A7","next_prefix":"A9"},"9":{"id":312317,"text":"Providing a therapeutic location or protocol for officers to bring individuals in crisis for assessment that is not a law-enforcement or jail facility;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"A9","prefix_anchor":"A9","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A8","next_prefix":"A10"},"10":{"id":312318,"text":"Increasing public recognition and appreciation for the mental health needs of a community;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"A10","prefix_anchor":"A10","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A9","next_prefix":"A11"},"11":{"id":312319,"text":"Decreasing injuries to law-enforcement officers during crisis events;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","11"],"prefix":"11","entire_prefix":"A11","prefix_anchor":"A11","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A10","next_prefix":"A12"},"12":{"id":312320,"text":"Reducing inappropriate arrests of individuals with mental illness in crisis situations; and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","12"],"prefix":"12","entire_prefix":"A12","prefix_anchor":"A12","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A11","next_prefix":"A13"},"13":{"id":312321,"text":"Decreasing the need for mental health treatment in jail.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","13"],"prefix":"13","entire_prefix":"A13","prefix_anchor":"A13","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A12","next_prefix":"B"},"14":{"id":312322,"text":"The Department, in collaboration with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, shall establish criteria for the development of crisis intervention teams that shall include assessment of the effectiveness of the area’s plan for community involvement, training, and therapeutic response alternatives and a determination of whether law-enforcement officers have effective agreements with mental health care providers and all other community stakeholders.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A13","next_prefix":"C"},"15":{"id":312323,"text":"By November 1, 2009, the Department, and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, shall submit to the Joint Commission on Health Care a report outlining the status of the crisis intervention team programs, including copies of any requests for proposals and the criteria developed for such areas.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15488,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crisis Intervention Teams","identifier":"13","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12897,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:55:28","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:55:28","permalink":{"id":284775,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15488,"identifier":"13","token":"9.1\/1\/13","url":"\/9.1\/1\/13\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12897,"edition_id":1,"name":"Department of Criminal Justice Services","identifier":"1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12896,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","permalink":{"id":284489,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12897,"identifier":"1","token":"9.1\/1","url":"\/9.1\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12896,"edition_id":1,"name":"Commonwealth Public Safety","identifier":"9.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","permalink":{"id":284487,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12896,"identifier":"9.1","token":"9.1","url":"\/9.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":87216,"structure_id":15488,"section_number":"9.1-187","catch_line":"Establishment of crisis intervention team programs","url":"\/9.1-187\/","token":"9.1\/1\/13\/9.1-187","metadata":false},{"id":62690,"structure_id":15488,"section_number":"9.1-188","catch_line":"Crisis intervention training program","url":"\/9.1-188\/","token":"9.1\/1\/13\/9.1-188","metadata":false},{"id":64411,"structure_id":15488,"section_number":"9.1-189","catch_line":"Crisis intervention team protocol","url":"\/9.1-189\/","token":"9.1\/1\/13\/9.1-189","metadata":false},{"id":59016,"structure_id":15488,"section_number":"9.1-190","catch_line":"Crisis intervention team program assessment","url":"\/9.1-190\/","token":"9.1\/1\/13\/9.1-190","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":62690,"structure_id":15488,"section_number":"9.1-188","catch_line":"Crisis intervention training program","url":"\/9.1-188\/","token":"9.1\/1\/13\/9.1-188","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/9.1-187\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2009. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 715<\/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 1 time. 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. That modification is as follows: in 2012, chapter 776<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":70901,"section_number":"37.2-311.1","catch_line":"Comprehensive crisis system; Marcus alert system; powers and duties of the Department related to comprehensive mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disability crisis services","order_by":null,"url":"\/37.2-311.1\/"},{"id":54198,"section_number":"9.1-102","catch_line":"Powers and duties of the Board and the Department","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-102\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":73488,"section_number":"9.1-101","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-101\/"}],"permalink":{"id":284777,"object_type":"law","relational_id":87216,"identifier":"9.1-187","token":"9.1\/1\/13\/9.1-187","url":"\/9.1-187\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/9.1-187\/","token":"9.1\/1\/13\/9.1-187","dublin_core":{"Title":"Establishment of crisis intervention team programs","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 9.1-187","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> By January 1, 2010, the Department<\/span> of Criminal Justice Services and the Department<\/span> of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, utilizing such federal or state funding as may be available for this purpose, shall support the development and establishment of crisis intervention team programs in areas throughout the Commonwealth. Areas may be composed of any combination of one or more localities or institutions of higher education contained therein that may have law<\/span>-enforcement officers<\/span> as defined in \u00a7 9.1-101<\/a>. The crisis intervention teams shall assist law<\/span>-enforcement officers<\/span> in responding to crisis situations involving persons with mental illness, substance abuse problems, or both. The goals of the crisis intervention team programs shall be: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Providing immediate response by specially trained law<\/span>-enforcement officers<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Reducing the amount of time officers spend out of service awaiting assessment and disposition<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Affording persons with mental illness, substance abuse problems, or both, a sense of dignity in crisis situations; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Reducing the likelihood of physical confrontation; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Decreasing arrests<\/span> and use of force; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Identifying underserved populations with mental illness, substance abuse problems, or both, and linking them to appropriate care; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Providing support and assistance for mental health treatment<\/span> professionals; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> Decreasing the use of arrest<\/span> and detention of persons experiencing mental health and\/or substance abuse crises by providing better access to timely treatment; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> Providing a therapeutic location or protocol for officers to bring individuals in crisis for assessment that is not a law<\/span>-enforcement or jail facility; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

10.<\/span> Increasing public recognition and appreciation for the mental health needs of a community; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

11.<\/span> Decreasing injuries to law<\/span>-enforcement officers<\/span> during crisis events; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

12.<\/span> Reducing inappropriate arrests<\/span> of individuals with mental illness in crisis situations; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

13.<\/span> Decreasing the need for mental health treatment<\/span> in jail. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The Department<\/span>, in collaboration with the Department<\/span> of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, shall establish criteria for the development of crisis intervention teams that shall include assessment of the effectiveness of the area’s plan for community involvement, training, and therapeutic response alternatives and a determination of whether law<\/span>-enforcement officers<\/span> have effective agreements with mental health care providers and all other community stakeholders. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> By November 1, 2009, the Department<\/span>, and the Department<\/span> of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, shall submit to the Joint Commission on Health Care a report outlining the status of the crisis intervention team programs, including copies of any requests for proposals and the criteria developed for such areas. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nESTABLISHMENT OF CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM PROGRAMS (\u00a7 9.1-187)\n\nA. By January 1, 2010, the Department of Criminal Justice Services and the\nDepartment of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, utilizing such\nfederal or state funding as may be available for this purpose, shall support the\ndevelopment and establishment of crisis intervention team programs in areas\nthroughout the Commonwealth. Areas may be composed of any combination of one or\nmore localities or institutions of higher education contained therein that may\nhave law-enforcement officers as defined in \u00a7 9.1-101. The crisis intervention\nteams shall assist law-enforcement officers in responding to crisis situations\ninvolving persons with mental illness, substance abuse problems, or both. The\ngoals of the crisis intervention team programs shall be:\n\n 1. Providing immediate response by specially trained law-enforcement officers;\n\n 2. Reducing the amount of time officers spend out of service awaiting\n assessment and disposition;\n\n 3. Affording persons with mental illness, substance abuse problems, or both, a\n sense of dignity in crisis situations;\n\n 4. Reducing the likelihood of physical confrontation;\n\n 5. Decreasing arrests and use of force;\n\n 6. Identifying underserved populations with mental illness, substance abuse\n problems, or both, and linking them to appropriate care;\n\n 7. Providing support and assistance for mental health treatment professionals;\n\n 8. Decreasing the use of arrest and detention of persons experiencing mental\n health and\/or substance abuse crises by providing better access to timely\n treatment;\n\n 9. Providing a therapeutic location or protocol for officers to bring\n individuals in crisis for assessment that is not a law-enforcement or jail\n facility;\n\n 10. Increasing public recognition and appreciation for the mental health needs\n of a community;\n\n 11. Decreasing injuries to law-enforcement officers during crisis events;\n\n 12. Reducing inappropriate arrests of individuals with mental illness in\n crisis situations; and\n\n 13. Decreasing the need for mental health treatment in jail.\n\nB. The Department, in collaboration with the Department of Behavioral Health and\nDevelopmental Services, shall establish criteria for the development of crisis\nintervention teams that shall include assessment of the effectiveness of the\narea’s plan for community involvement, training, and therapeutic response\nalternatives and a determination of whether law-enforcement officers have\neffective agreements with mental health care providers and all other community\nstakeholders.\n\nC. By November 1, 2009, the Department, and the Department of Behavioral Health\nand Developmental Services, shall submit to the Joint Commission on Health Care\na report outlining the status of the crisis intervention team programs,\nincluding copies of any requests for proposals and the criteria developed for\nsuch areas.\n\nHISTORY: 2009, c. 715; 2012, c. 776.","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}}