Va. Mental Health Bills Approved

RICHMOND, March 4 -- The Virginia General Assembly voted Tuesday for the first major overhaul of the state's mental health system in three decades, largely in response to the mass shooting at Virginia Tech.

The House and Senate passed a package of bills designed to give families and courts greater flexibility in having people who are mentally ill involuntarily committed, among other changes.

Lawmakers said they hoped to prevent tragedies such as the killings April 16, when student Seung Hui Cho fatally shot 32 students and teachers before killing himself.

"This is, in fact, the most serious and significant change in mental health laws in 30 years, and it wouldn't have happened except for what happened in Blacksburg," said Del. Robert B. Bell (R-Charlottesville), who helped write some of the proposals.

After the House vote, the entire chamber cheered. The bills now go to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D), who supports them.

Legislators are still negotiating how much new money to set aside for mental health changes in the next two-year budget.

The House and Senate also passed bills related to transportation and elections as part of a slew of proposals approved in the final days of the legislative session, which is scheduled to end Saturday.

Also Tuesday, Kaine vetoed his first legislation of the year -- a pair of bills that would have loosened restrictions on where person may carry or place firearms.

One measure would have allowed people to keep concealed weapons in cars if the weapons are locked in a compartment or container, even if the owner did not have a permit. The other would have allowed people to carry concealed weapons into restaurants that serve alcohol. Currently, it is legal to carry a weapon into a restaurant only if it does not serve alcohol.

Kaine said the bills could have endangered law enforcement officers, restaurant employees and patrons.

"I have to make a decision that's best for public safety,'' Kaine said. He said he based his decision on recommendations from the law enforcement community.

Del. C. Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah) called the measures "two very reasonable bills" and said Kaine showed "disdain for law-abiding gun owners."