Two committees of the Vermont Legislature will take testimony from the public at a hearing on the future of the state’s mental health system, now that the Vermont State Hospital in Waterbury is closed.
Residents had to be evacuated from the Waterbury facility because of flooding during Tropical Storm Irene, and Gov. Peter Shumlin says he does not want to reopen the antiquated hospital.
Instead, the administration has proposed a group of smaller, mental health facilities around the state, and more use of community placements for patients. The House Human Services Committee and Senate Health and Welfare Committee will hear from the public at the Statehouse on Tuesday evening. Sign-ups for those wishing to testify begin at 4 p.m.