Moving toward comprehensive mental health care reform, Senator Lori Berman (D-Palm Beach) and Representative Dan Daley (D-Coral Springs) have respectively filed Senate Bill 960 and House Bill 915, titled “Outpatient Mental Health Services.” This legislation specifically focuses on refining definitions, criteria, and court-ordered treatments for individuals in need of mental health care.
This bill focuses on empowering courts to order respondents into outpatient treatment for up to six months under certain circumstances, enhancing criteria for involuntary inpatient placement, and prohibiting the use of incarceration as a sanction for noncompliance with outpatient treatment plans. The legislation also emphasizes monitoring respondents throughout their treatment and retaining court jurisdiction over cases, reinforcing the importance of ongoing evaluation and potential modification of treatment plans.
“Unfortunately, our courts and prison system has become mental health providers by default. However, the system does not adequately address what could be treatable mental health issues and does not reduce the rate of recidivism in our criminal justice system. This bill will give judges the option to make decisions that will. It is past time for Florida to get in front of the mental health crisis in our state,” stated Senator Lori Berman.
“As a prosecutor, I can tell you that the criminal mental health system in this state, particularly at the misdemeanor level, is broken. Current law is not adequately keeping our communities safe or addressing mental health issues and has become a burden on our court system. HB 915 gives judges the option to get individuals outpatient treatment, rather than just dismissing the case and waiting for that person to commit a felony to be ordered to treatment. The bill is a step in the right direction to address a revolving door of defendants who have been found incompetent to proceed,” emphasized Representative Dan Daley.
“As a state representative and former judge, I have seen firsthand how Florida handles misdemeanor mental health cases and the status quo isn’t working. I’m proud to work alongside my colleague, Rep. Daley, on this bipartisan legislation that will give our judges the tools they need to address those experiencing mental health issues in the free State of Florida,” stated Representative Pat Maney (R-Fort Walton Beach), House co-prime sponsor of the bill.
