HOUSE BILL NO. 1370

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services

on ________________)

(Patron Prior to Substitute—Delegate Mehta)

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 37.2-405.3, relating to Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; regulations; emergency medical simulations; cardiopulmonary resuscitation training.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 37.2-405.3 as follows:

§ 37.2-405.3. Regulations for providers; emergency medical simulations; cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

The Board shall adopt regulations requiring providers that deliver services to individuals with developmental disabilities, mental health disorders, and substance use disorders to:

1. Conduct regular emergency medical simulations and train employees that regularly engage with people receiving services. Such emergency medical simulations and training shall prepare employees of the provider to recognize and respond to situations where individuals receiving services require emergency medical treatment.

2. Require at least one employee trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation to be on duty at each location where services are delivered. Employees who hold a current certificate as an emergency medical technician shall be deemed to meet training requirements.

2. That the Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services shall adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this act to be effective by December 1, 2026. Such initial adoption of regulations shall be exempt from the requirements of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).