VIDEO: Advocates Celebrate Democratic and Republican Bills to Reform Barrier Crimes Law to Empower More People to Become Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counselors
SAARA’s Legislative Agenda Includes Reforms Being Championed by Senator Todd Pillion, Senator Lamont Bagby, and Delegate Marcia Price
From left to right: Jimmy Christmas, Victor McKenzie, Jason Pritchard, Rev. Dana Sally Allen, Michael Sizemore, and Del. Katrina Callsen.
RICHMOND, Va. — A packed room of advocates from Virginia’s Recovery Community yesterday discussed legislation from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers to reform Virginia’s barrier crimes laws on the books.
The event coincided with the Substance Abuse & Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia’s (SAARA) Advocacy Day.
Delegate Cia Price, Senator Pillion (R-Abingdon), and Senator Lamont Bagby (D-Richmond) filed barrier crimes bills this year to tackle the shortage of workers who provide substance abuse and mental health services at locations across Virginia. Many otherwise-qualified applicants are barred from serving in these critical roles due to existing law, even though their redemption stories provide credibility and hope to those in need of counseling services.
The legislation discussed included:
Senate Bill 626 (Senator Pillion) would empower the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, providers of substance abuse or mental health services, community service boards, and behavioral health authorities to hire applicants convicted of certain misdemeanor crimes if they pre-date the application date by more than five years.
Senate Joint Resolution 24 (Senator Bagby) would direct the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study barrier crimes for people employed by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and make recommendations by the first day of the 2025 legislative session.
House Bill 1269 (Delegate Price) would empower substance abuse or mental health treatment programs to hire people convicted of certain offenses if they pre-date the application date by more than three years.
“Barrier crimes currently create two big problems in our state. First, they pose significant obstacles for people who have paid their dues and want to find employment. Second, substance abuse and mental health treatment programs across Virginia are facing a workforce shortage,” said Delegate Marcia “Cia” Price (D-Newport News). “The people we are talking about have so much they can contribute to these programs, from their lived experience and their ability to serve as valuable mentors to those who are working to get and stay in recovery. It’s time for Virginia to make these important reforms. I’m proud to fight alongside all these advocates here in the Capitol today and look forward to getting this bill across the finish line to lift up people in recovery who are willing and able to give back to their communities.”
“The legislation we are supporting is being championed by lawmakers in both political parties, meaning this is one of the bipartisan victories that Governor Youngkin can sign into law,” shared SAARA Executive Director Victor McKenzie. “Virginia’s current laws create obstacles for people who are in recovery and want to give back to their communities by filling critical staffing roles in mental and behavioral health treatment centers.”
“I’m a family person, I’m a business owner, I have some professional designations, but I’m also a recovering addict. I got clean in 1992, and that speaks to the power of recovery … this is about second chances here,” said Jimmy Christmas, CEO of River City Comprehensive Counseling Services and Staunton Treatment Center.
Christmas’s ability to serve the Virginia DBHDS was grandfathered into the current barrier crimes law. He explained that one of his first experiences with the current barrier crimes law was when, “I had an opioid treatment program, what we call a methadone clinic. And there were some people who really wanted to work, who really wanted the opportunity to give back in that field. And we could not hire them, and it broke my heart. We could not hire these people because of these antiquated, maybe not as-well-thought out laws that came into the books around 1996.”
“If it wasn’t for organizations like SaVida Health that not only believes ‘We Do Recover’ but also believe that we deserve second chances my sustained recovery would not be possible,” shared Jason Pritchard of Bristol, who is employed by SaVida Health. “Today I just hope the state can catch up with SaVida because we have a lot of people who need help from those who know what it’s like to walk in their shoes.”
“I am grateful for everyone who gave me a chance, but there are still doors closed to me. I cannot start a business that is licensed by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, even though that is my dream,” shared Rev. Dana Sally Allen of Richmond, who is 31 years clean. “I have to ask myself, what else do they want me to do? I got my rights back, I campaigned for public office, I served in the community, I got my degrees, I pay my taxes. What else do you want me to do?”
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SAARA is a statewide organization that advocates, educates, and supports individuals, families, and communities affected by substance use disorder (SUD) and the disease of addiction.