September 12, 2008

The tragedy at Virginia Tech caused state legislators to take a closer look at the commonwealth's mental health laws, and since that day, many of those laws have changed.

"What we're looking for now is a much more comprehensive review of the person's mental health state because we're trying to decide, if you're going to commit someone against their will, when is it appropriate to literally say i know you don't want to treatment but we're going to make you have it," said state delegate Rob Bell, R-58th District.

Legislators are now expecting much more from clinicians who will determine whether or not someone should be committed, But it's how much these clinicians will get compensated for the increased responsibility that is raising some concerns.

"This is a fairly significant increase in their responsibilities and part of the concern we have is that the statutory fee that's available for doing this is $75," said UVa law professor Richard Bonnie.

Bonnie, who chairs the commission on mental health law reform says clinicians may not agree to do what is asked for that amount.

"As people become aware of what is necessary, they may decline to undertake these evaluations," said Bonnie.

But lawmakers say they can't afford not to have these evaluations done.

"This is a very important group, I mean these are the people that, by definition, are a serious danger of serious bodily harm to themself or someone else. That's a group we need to address right away, so if we have to we can find the money," said Bell.

Bell says they hope the fee will be enough, but if it isn't,

"And if it turns out that they can't do that for $75, If we find out that there just isn't enough clinicians to fulfill the needs, then yeah we'll have to look at the pricing a little bit," said Bell.

The new laws went into effect on July 1st.