Virginia & SB 1101: Exploring Psychedelic Therapy for Veterans
SB 1101, the Breakthrough Therapies for Veteran Suicide Prevention Act, is currently moving through Virginia’s legislature. The bill aims to support clinical research and implementation of FDA-designated breakthrough therapies, including psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA, for treating PTSD, treatment-resistant depression (TRD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) in veterans.
The bill does not legalize these substances for general use but seeks to provide state funding for research, patient access programs, and mental health professional training related to these therapies.
Key Components of SB 1101
🔹 Creation of the Breakthrough Therapies for Veteran Suicide Prevention Fund – A state fund dedicated to supporting research and access to these therapies.
🔹 Formation of an Advisory Council – A group of experts and policymakers tasked with overseeing research funding and policy recommendations.
🔹 Public-Private Research Partnerships – Funding would be allocated to Phase III clinical trials of FDA-designated breakthrough therapies.
🔹 Compassionate Use Programs – A framework for providing access to treatments for veterans with severe mental health conditions.
🔹 Education and Training – Resources for mental health professionals to learn about the latest research and treatment approaches.
Where Is the Bill Now?
On January 23, 2025, the Senate Education & Health Committee approved SB 1101 with a 13-1 vote, sending it to the Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee for further review.
Next steps in the legislative process include:
🔹 Finance Committee Review – Evaluating the financial aspects of the bill.
🔹 Full Senate Vote – If approved, the bill moves to the Virginia House of Delegates for further consideration.
🔹 Governor’s Decision – If passed by both chambers, Governor Glenn Youngkin will decide whether to sign it into law.
Background on Psychedelic Therapy and Veterans
🔹 Veteran Mental Health Challenges
PTSD, depression, and TBI contribute to high rates of veteran suicide, and existing treatments do not work for everyone. More Veteran resources can be found on our resources page.
🔹 Psychedelic Research Developments
Recent studies from Johns Hopkins, MAPS, and NYU have shown that MDMA-assisted therapy can significantly reduce PTSD symptoms, and psilocybin-assisted therapy has shown promise for depression and end-of-life anxiety.
🔹 Policy Trends in Other States
Several states, including Texas, Oregon, and Colorado, have allocated funding to study psychedelic therapy for veterans.
How to Stay Informed
📩 Contact key decision-makers for updates or to share input:
✉️ Speaker Don Scott: DelDScott@house.virginia.gov
✉️ Majority Leader Charniele Herring: DelCHerring@house.virginia.gov
✉️ Governor Glenn Youngkin: glenn.youngkin@governor.virginia.gov
📢 Follow Virginia’s General Assembly website for updates on SB 1101’s progress.
This bill represents a research-driven approach to exploring new treatment options for veterans in Virginia. Its progress through the legislature will determine whether state funding will be allocated for further study and access programs.
