Bill Text: VA HB281 | 2020 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Prisoners; medical care.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2020-02-25 - Continued to 2021 in Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 1-N) [HB281 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-HB281-Prefiled.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §53.1-32 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§53.1-32. Treatment and control of prisoners; recreation; religious services.
A. It shall be the general purpose of the state correctional
facilities to provide proper employment, training and education in accordance
with this title, medical and mental health care and treatment, discipline and
control of prisoners committed or transferred thereto. The health service
program established to provide medical services to prisoners shall provide for appropriate means by which prisoners receiving
nonemergency medical services may pay fees
based upon a portion of the
to such prisoners at no
cost of such services.
In no event shall any prisoner be denied medically necessary service due to his
inability to pay. The Board shall promulgate regulations governing such a
program.
B. The Department of Corrections shall establish and maintain a treatment program for prisoners convicted pursuant to Article 7 (§18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2 and committed to its custody. The program shall include a clinical assessment of all such prisoners upon receipt into the custody of the Department of Corrections and the development of appropriate treatment plans, if indicated. A licensed psychiatrist or licensed clinical psychologist who is experienced in the diagnosis, treatment, and risk assessment of sex offenders shall oversee the program and the program shall be administered by a licensed psychiatrist, licensed clinical psychologist, or a licensed mental health professional who is a certified sex offender treatment provider as defined in §54.1-3600.
C. The Director shall provide a program of recreation for prisoners. The Director may establish, with consultation from the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, a comprehensive substance abuse treatment program which may include utilization of acupuncture and other treatment modalities, and may make such program available to any prisoner requiring the services provided by the program.
D. The Director or his designee who shall be a state employee is authorized to make arrangements for religious services for prisoners at times as he may deem appropriate. When such arrangements are made pursuant to a contract or memorandum of understanding, the final authority for such arrangements shall reside with the Director or his designee.
