Kaine Signs Set of Bills To Modernize Mental Health

Surrounded by legislators and advocates, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine signs bills to shore up the mental health system. (By Michaele L. White -- Governor's Office Via Associated Press)

Last month, the General Assembly passed a two-year, $77 billion spending plan that included an increase of $42 million for more caseworkers, psychiatrists and other staff to treat and monitor the mentally ill.

"Now the real job begins," said Del. Phillip A. Hamilton (R-Newport News), vice chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. "While we have done some significant public policy changes, the real challenge in the out years is to make sure we provide the funding to put services where folks need them most. . . . It's going to be tough, but it's about establishing priorities."

Legislators called the funding increase significant, particularly at a time when Virginia faces a shortfall of more than $1 billion in the next two years. Some mental health advocates said the state needs to spend even more.

Mira Signer, executive director of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Virginia, had asked for an additional $25 million over two years.

"We are very grateful and thankful that more funding is being allocated," Signer said. "It's a huge step in the right direction, but we did call attention to the need for more funding because Virginia has traditionally lagged behind in community-based care."

Kaine said he will ask his staff to evaluate what recommendations from the Virginia Tech Review Panel report have not been implemented and possibly suggest them to the legislature next year.

"We recognize while we have done good, this is not the end of what we need to do. We have more work to do," Kaine said.

Many victims' families remain disappointed that the General Assembly failed to pass a bill that would have required all firearms sellers to conduct background checks on buyers at gun shows. Caputo, who introduced a bill to make that change this year, plans to do so again next year.

"It's not just one thing: mental health," he said. "We have to fix this horrendous gun situation."