SF considers adopting law to compel some mentally ill persons to receive treatment

[RandySF]

An effort to enact Laura's Law in San Francisco has re-emerged as a way to reduce the number of homeless people on city streets by compelling certain mentally ill people to receive treatment.

Supervisor Mark Farrell introduced a proposal Tuesday to implement the law locally, with support of Mayor Ed Lee. Laura's Law, a state law otherwise known as the assisted outpatient treatment law, allows court-ordered mental health treatment for individuals with mental illness with a history of unsuccessful treatment. Those authorized to request a court order include family members and probation officers.

If the Board of Supervisors doesn't approve the legislation, Farrell said he would place the measure on the November ballot, which would require the backing of three other board members.

"Laura's Law will provide appropriate treatment services for our most vulnerable, reduce hospitalization and incarceration rates, and improve public safety for our residents," Farrell said.


http://www.sfexaminer.com/sanfrancisco/sf-considers-adopting-law-to-compel-some-mentally-ill-persons-to-receive-treatment/Content?oid=2804768

[Old Codger]

1. There used to be

Some pretty decent care facilities in Cal. for just that purpose, that is until the rethugs god ronny closed them all up, then he closed the national ones too, so now we have a whole slew of mentally ill people who are homeless roaming the streets..

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. Fla. passed such a law back in the '80s.

called the Baker Act.
It called for 72 hour hour for those who were a danger to themselves or others, then a review by a psychiatrist, who would recommend a treatment program, if needed, and the judge would order mandatory treatment for 30 day increments.
It addressed both mental issues and substance abuse issues, and worked on the county level.
The initial evaluation was done by the Mental Health workers, 24/7 on call.
I could write a book about some of the cases I handled under that law.
Never once saw it applied inappropriately in the county I worked in.