This bill proposes the addition of a new section, 15A-3-19, to the Code of West Virginia, which mandates the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation to implement training for its personnel on conducting brain injury screenings for both incoming and currently incarcerated individuals. The training will be facilitated through the Division's medical provider in collaboration with the West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities. By July 1, 2028, all individuals in the correctional system must be screened for brain injuries, with the screening processes developed with input from a designated study group focused on competency and criminal responsibility.

Furthermore, the bill requires the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Division of Rehabilitation Services, and the Department of Veterans Assistance to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the aforementioned study group. This agreement will allow for the sharing of confidential health records to support the study group's objectives. The overall aim of the bill is to enhance the identification and understanding of brain injuries within the incarcerated population, thereby improving rehabilitation efforts and ensuring appropriate care.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15A-3-19