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Bill

SB 317

Interjurisdictional law-enforcement agreements; development of behavioral health co-response teams.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Russet Perry

Virginia law enables police departments to form cross-jurisdictional behavioral health co-response teams pairing officers with mental health professionals for crisis calls.

Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
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Bill Summary · SB 317

Legislative bill overview

SB 317 authorizes Virginia law enforcement agencies to establish interjurisdictional agreements for developing and operating behavioral health co-response teams—units that pair police officers with mental health professionals to respond to calls involving mental health crises, substance abuse, or behavioral issues. The bill facilitates coordination across county and city boundaries to share resources and expertise in these specialized response teams.

Why is this important

Behavioral health co-response teams have gained national attention as an alternative to traditional all-police responses for mental health emergencies, potentially reducing unnecessary arrests, improving outcomes for people in crisis, and freeing officers for other public safety duties. Enabling interjurisdictional agreements allows smaller jurisdictions to pool resources and participate in these programs, rather than requiring each locality to fund teams independently.

Potential points of contention

  • Liability and jurisdiction clarification: Cross-jurisdictional operations raise questions about which agency bears legal responsibility if incidents occur outside home jurisdictions, and the bill's language may need clarification on liability assignments.
  • Funding mechanisms: The bill authorizes agreements but doesn't mandate state funding, potentially shifting costs to local budgets already strained by police and mental health services.
  • Scope and training standards: Without explicit state standards for training, credentialing, and protocols across jurisdictions, quality and consistency of co-response teams could vary significantly.

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

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