Laura's Law passes easily in S.F. supervisors' vote

[RandySF]

NOTE: I would like to ask Supervisor Mar what could be more "stigmatizing" than wandering the sidewalk half naked or rolling on the ground in one's own filth.



After years of debate, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors overwhelmingly voted in favor Tuesday of implementing Laura's Law, the state measure that allows mentally ill people to be compelled into treatment by a court.

The 9-2 vote wasn't a surprise, however: In May, Supervisor Mark Farrell announced he would move forward with implementing the law here, either by taking it to the ballot or, if he could get the votes, at the Board of Supervisors.

Last month, Farrell all but guaranteed a legislative win when he secured the support of progressive Supervisor David Campos by agreeing to amend the law to include creation of an oversight team that will try to get mentally ill people to accept voluntary treatment first....

Still, Supervisor Eric Mar, who voted against the measure along with Supervisor John Avalos, said he is worried the law could further stigmatize the mentally ill and may not offer people of different ethnic backgrounds "culturally competent" care.


http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/S-F-supervisors-pass-Laura-s-Law-to-treat-5607612.php