temporary detention were denied access to in-patient psychiatric treatment. the report said that streeting places the person and his or her community at risk. that practice was supposed to stop after a mentally ill virginia tech student killed 32 people. virginia gave mental health officials four hours to make a case for involuntary hospitalization. cnn found three hospitals in that state that said the could have taken in gus deeds. but officials won't say whether the failed to search hard enough or the clock just ran out. >> a tragedy happens, the legislature reacts. you see this in other states. and then over time that money is chipped away and these services are unavailable. >> reporter: tonight i spoke with a law professor who was brought in by the state to help reform its mental health facilities and the mental health care system. he says he advocated for alternatives toers today hospitalization following the virginia tech shooting, things like crisis centers, things like