Marcus-David Peters Act

Advocacy Update from NAMI

On November 5th, Governor Northam signed the Marcus-David Peters Act, a new law requiring the implementation of new co-responder models to mental health crisis across Virginia. The law, named for Marcus-David Peters, a black man who was shot and killed by Richmond police in 2017 while suffering a mental health crisis, will create a system where mental health clinicians work alongside law enforcement to address mental health crisis calls. This system aims to de-escalate situations involving an individual with a mental health concern without the use of force. We commend Governor Northam for signing this into law.

While this model will take a few years to implement across the state, a neighboring county is already moving forward with a similar co-responder model. Prince William County has been working to implement a locally funded program, which was piloted in August, as early as December. This is a huge step in reducing police brutality, incarceration, and unnecessary detention of people with mental health conditions. Read more about this program here.