Decriminalization
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Efforts supporting the decriminalization of the mentally ill were intensified with the passage of HB 207 during the 1994 legislative session. This legislative reform assured that no citizen of the commonwealth would be jailed while awaiting evaluation for involuntary hospitalization.
Funding was appropriated to cover the costs of community mental health centers in assuring that qualified mental health professionals were available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to complete evaluations for hospitalization within three hours of a court's request. In addition, funding covers the costs of transportation incurred by local law enforcement in transporting individuals for evaluation, as well as hospitalization, if so indicated.
Training is provided on an annual basis to qualified mental health professionals, law enforcement, the judiciary, county attorneys, jails and other interested parties.
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