Senate approves bill to expand community behavioral‑health services and create housing options
March 14, 2026 | 2026 Legislature VA, Virginia
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RICHMOND — The Virginia Senate passed Senate Bill 13 on March 13 after debate over local responsibility, funding and the use of eminent domain.
Senator Miller, who presented the bill, said the measure would allow more behavioral health authorities and community services programs to exist in cities and counties that lack them and would enable the conversion or remodeling of existing facilities into housing and inpatient treatment centers for people recovering from substance use disorders. "These facilities also offer intellectual disability care and other services," the sponsor said, adding that the bill could help reduce homelessness by providing case‑by‑case housing options.
The sponsor told senators that funding would come from budget adjustments outlined in the bill and that, when necessary, eminent domain could be used as a last resort with compensation. "When creating these facilities in areas who don't have them, we would take advantage of eminent domain, but only if we absolutely had to," the sponsor said.
Opponents argued the bill would place too much responsibility on local governments and that converting abandoned buildings would be costly and difficult. Senator Moss warned that the legislation could shift costs from taxpayers in other areas and raised concerns about operational capacity. Senators asked about timelines, and the sponsor estimated remodeling and staffing could take roughly 5 to 11 months while building from scratch could take 11 to 12 months.
Senators also asked about background checks for facility residents; the sponsor said applicants with recent violent convictions would be excluded on a case‑by‑case basis.
After floor debate and procedural motions, the Senate recorded Ayes 18, No 7, R 36 2 and the presiding officer announced that Senate Bill 13 passed.
Outcome: Senate Bill 13 passed and will proceed to implementation steps outlined in the legislation, including appropriation language referenced by the sponsor.
Senator Miller, who presented the bill, said the measure would allow more behavioral health authorities and community services programs to exist in cities and counties that lack them and would enable the conversion or remodeling of existing facilities into housing and inpatient treatment centers for people recovering from substance use disorders. "These facilities also offer intellectual disability care and other services," the sponsor said, adding that the bill could help reduce homelessness by providing case‑by‑case housing options.
The sponsor told senators that funding would come from budget adjustments outlined in the bill and that, when necessary, eminent domain could be used as a last resort with compensation. "When creating these facilities in areas who don't have them, we would take advantage of eminent domain, but only if we absolutely had to," the sponsor said.
Opponents argued the bill would place too much responsibility on local governments and that converting abandoned buildings would be costly and difficult. Senator Moss warned that the legislation could shift costs from taxpayers in other areas and raised concerns about operational capacity. Senators asked about timelines, and the sponsor estimated remodeling and staffing could take roughly 5 to 11 months while building from scratch could take 11 to 12 months.
Senators also asked about background checks for facility residents; the sponsor said applicants with recent violent convictions would be excluded on a case‑by‑case basis.
After floor debate and procedural motions, the Senate recorded Ayes 18, No 7, R 36 2 and the presiding officer announced that Senate Bill 13 passed.
Outcome: Senate Bill 13 passed and will proceed to implementation steps outlined in the legislation, including appropriation language referenced by the sponsor.
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