A Guide to the Legislative Case Files of the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse
Services, 1989-2003 Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services, Department of
43687
Virginia. Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services. Legislative Case Files, 1988-2004.
Accession 43687. State Records Collection, The Library of Virginia.
Acquisition Information
Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services, Legislative Case Files, Jefferson Building,
13th Floor, 1220 Bank Street, Richmond, VA 23219, transferred 25 March 2008 and accessioned 26 March 2008.
Processing Information
This collection has been processed using minimal processing standards: the original arrangement has been maintained, the
container list is brief and simple, and the records have not been refoldered and fasteners have not been removed.
The Dept. of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services traces it beginnings to the first institution
in the New World designed for the treatment of the mentally ill, which opened in Williamsburg in 1773. Now known as Eastern
State Hospital, it was followed by Western State Hospital, in Staunton (1828), Central State Hospital, in Petersburg (1885),
and Southwestern State Hospital, in Marion (1887). Each hospital had its own governing/management body. The first State Hospital
Board was created by an act of the General Assembly passed on December 24, 1936. It replaced the individual governing boards
and brought the institutions and training schools under one state agency.
On April 3, 1942, the General Assembly passed an act establishing the Department of Mental Hygiene and Hospitals. The name
of the department was changed to the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation by the General Assembly on March 20,
1973. Substance abuse was added to the name March 25, 1987.
The Department is responsible for providing a comprehensive system of services that is responsive to the mental health, mental
retardation, drug abuse and alcohol dependency needs of the citizens of the Commonwealth. The Department has developed many
programs to fulfill its responsibilities, including treatment, counseling, hospitalization, and rehabilitation services.
The Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services, Legislative Case Files, are housed
in 19 boxes. This collection has been processed using minimal processing standards: the original arrangement has been maintained,
the level of description is brief and simple, and the records have not been refoldered and fasteners have not been removed.
These records include bills, correspondence, memorandums, legislative files, briefing books, photographs, negatives, and reports.
These records document legislative studies, proposals and case files of the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation
and Substance Abuse Services.
Notable materials include: extensive files related to House Joint Resolution 240 (passed by the Virginia General Assembly,
2 April 1996) which established a joint subcommittee to evaluate the future delivery of public funded mental health, mental
retardation, and substance abuse services.