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Bill

HB 2655

Behavioral health services; correctional facilities, exchange of medical/mental health information.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Carrie Coyner and 1 co-sponsor

Virginia bill authorizes correctional facilities to share inmates' behavioral health records with community providers to improve treatment continuity and reduce recidivism upon release.

Incorporated by Health and Human Services (HB2754-Singh) (Voice Vote)
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Bill Summary · HB 2655

Legislative bill overview

HB 2655 establishes protocols for sharing medical and mental health information between correctional facilities and behavioral health service providers in Virginia. The bill enables better coordination of care by allowing jails and prisons to exchange confidential health records with community mental health and substance abuse treatment providers when individuals are released or transferred.

Why is this important

Behavioral health continuity is critical for incarcerated individuals, who have significantly higher rates of mental illness and addiction than the general population. Breaking the information barrier between correctional and community providers reduces recidivism risk, improves treatment outcomes, and prevents dangerous gaps in care during the vulnerable transition from incarceration to release.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy and consent standards: The scope of information-sharing authorities and whether explicit inmate consent is required versus implied through intake processes remains unclear from available bill text
  • Liability and confidentiality protections: Questions about who is protected from liability if shared information is misused, and whether healthcare confidentiality laws adequately cover correctional settings
  • Resource allocation: Implementation requires coordination infrastructure and staff training across multiple agencies, with potential fiscal impacts on already-strained correctional and mental health systems

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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