Among the bills is the newly signed “Ilbo’s Law,” named after 28-year-old Ilbo Otieno, who died in custody last March due to mental illness.
SUFFOLK, Va. — Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin visited Hampton Roads on Thursday to promote 31 recently passed bills aimed at improving mental health care.
He touted 31 bipartisan bills during a ceremony at the Western Tidewater Community Services Board facility in Suffolk, including the newly signed “Arbo’s Law,” named for 28-year-old Arbo Otieno, who died in custody last March due to mental illness.
Otieno’s mother, Caroline Uko, attended Thursday’s ceremony and said Gov. Youngkin “kept his promise” by enacting the bill after her son’s death. Senate Bill 546 passed the Legislature unanimously. The bill would allow family members to be with their loved ones under emergency protective orders unless the mental health crisis sufferer objects or the family’s presence poses a safety risk.
Ms Uko described her son as a “loving young man”, adding: “He was outgoing, adventurous and prolific.”
Ucco on Thursday urged attendees to know their rights and take advantage of Arbo’s Law. “If you go to a hospital and someone tries to say, ‘He’s agitated, you can’t come back and see him,’ speak up and say, ‘Arbo’s Law,'” he said. Ucco later told 13News Now, “This bill will save lives. I think he’ll be happy about it.”
Uko sat next to Governor Youngkin and the First Lady on Thursday to celebrate the passage of Arbo’s Law and 30 other laws related to mental health as part of the “Right Help Right Now” program.
“Right Help Right Now is not a bill or a single initiative. It’s a comprehensive transformation of our behavioral health system,” Governor Youngkin explained.
Other bills passed Thursday included Senate Bill 403, which would certify behavioral health technicians as professionals overseen by the Counseling Board. “We need more hands and feet,” the governor said. “And that means more hands and feet.”
Both House Bill 823 and Senate Bill 497 aim to ease the burden on police, who often have to transport mentally ill people under temporary detention orders. “We want to further decriminalize those moments when someone is in a mental health crisis,” the governor said of the combination of bills.
Finally, Youngkin praised Caroline Uko’s work, saying having family members in the room with those in crisis will make a difference.
“The work that Caroline is doing to stand up, advocate and speak out will actually save lives,” he said.
Uko, meanwhile, said she was delighted that her son would be proud of his work. “I know he’s watching over us and smiling,” she said.
