HB 453 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Comprehensive mental health, substance abuse, & developmt. disability crisis services; written plan.

Summary
Comprehensive crisis system; Marcus alert system; Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; comprehensive mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disability crisis services; written plan. Allows the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, in collaboration with the Department of Criminal Justice Services, to amend the written plan created pursuant to relevant law after the publication of such written plan, provided that (i) the stakeholders listed in relevant law are consulted during the development of any new language to be added to such written plan and (ii) a public comment period of no less than 30 days is held prior to the finalization of such written plan. The bill also provides that the written plan shall serve as the operational framework for relevant components of the comprehensive crisis system and the Marcus alert system and that state agencies and local implementing partners shall align their policies, procedures, and operations on an ongoing basis with the requirements and guidance set forth in the written plan, as amended. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Behavioral Health Commission. This bill is identical to SB 513.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Signed Apr 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 1 edit · Mar 10, 2026
MINOR
The primary change is the transition of the bill from its 'Engrossed' version to the 'Enrolled' version, which is the final, official text signed into law. The substantive policy content, including definitions, timelines, and duties, remains identical between the two versions. The only differences are formatting adjustments, such as the addition of page numbers, line breaks, and official legislative headers required for the final enrolled act.
TECHNICAL

Added standard Enrolled Act formatting elements, including page numbers, chapter headers, and the 'Approved' stamp, while removing the 'Engrossed' and committee referral markings.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 3, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 2, 2026

How they voted

390
Passed
Total votes 39
Mar 3, 2026
D Democratic20
20 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican19
19 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
30
Key actions
12
Committee
8
Amendments
2
Apr 13, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 797 (effective 7/1/2026)
executive
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB453ER)
lower
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
upper
Mar 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
upper
Feb 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services (15-Y 0-N)
upper
Feb 19, 2026
Committee
Rereferred from Education and Health to Rehabilitation and Social Services (14-Y 0-N)
upper
Feb 3, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Education and Health
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time and passed House (99-Y 0-N 0-A)
lower
Jan 30, 2026
Introduced
Engrossed by House as amended
lower
Jan 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
committee amendment agreed to
lower
Jan 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Health and Human Services with amendment(s) (22-Y 0-N)
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (8-Y 0-N)
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
House subcommittee offered
lower
Jan 21, 2026
Committee
Assigned sub: Behavioral Health
lower
Jan 12, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors