Virginia Decodedhttps://vacode.org7609137.2-306Research into causes of mental illness, developmental disabilities, substance abuse, and related subjects2025Behavioral Health and Developmental ServicesGeneral ProvisionsDepartment of Behavioral Health and Developmental ServicesThe Department and the Commissioner

The Commissioner is hereby directed to promote research into the causes of mental illness, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse throughout the Commonwealth. The Commissioner shall encourage the directors of the state facilities and their staffs in the investigation of all subjects relating to mental illness, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse. In these research programs, the Commissioner shall make use, insofar as practicable, of the services and facilities of medical schools and the hospitals allied with them.

Code 1950, §§ 37-14, 37-38.1; 1950, p. 900; 1958, c. 610; 1968, c. 477, § 37.1-24; 1972, c. 639; 1976, c. 671; 1980, c. 582; 2005, c. 716; 2012, cc. 476, 507; 2017, c. 458.