HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 112

(By Delegates Storch, Miller, Walker, Brown, S., Little, Jennings, Doyle, Longstreth, and Cowles)

[Originating in the Committee on Political Subdivisions]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the impact on counties that pay for the cost of transporting persons requiring mental health treatment and/or substance abuse treatment to mental health facilities or state hospitals outside of that county.

Whereas, The number of persons in West Virginia who have substance abuse issues or are mentally ill who require treatment under the provisions of §27-4-1 et seq. have increased over the past several years; and

Whereas, It is the duty of the sheriff of a county under §27-4-1 et seq. to provide transportation for those individuals to the appropriate mental health facility or state hospital, except in circumstances where that individual is to have arranged transportation upon written request by a person having proper interest in the individual’s hospitalization; and

Whereas, Many counties in West Virginia do not have mental health facilities and/or state-run hospitals located within their borders; and

Whereas, An increasing number of sheriffs, sheriff deputies, and EMS workers are transporting those persons needing mental health or substance abuse treatment for a very long distance, oftentimes for several hours; and

Whereas, That transportation is causing a negative financial impact upon the county currently paying for the cost of transportation of those individuals who require treatment, and upon those sheriffs statutorily required to provide such transportation; and

Whereas, There has been a recent shortage of mental health treatment facilities and state-run hospitals in the state of West Virginia; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby directed to study the impact upon counties that pay for the cost of transporting such persons requiring mental health treatment and/or substance abuse treatment to mental health facilities or state hospitals outside of that county; and, be it

Further resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the Regular Session of the Legislature 2021, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations; and, be it

Further resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.