Florida will implement new guidelines for emergency mental health services starting next week. The law, commonly referred to as the Baker Act, focuses on crisis services for people with mental illness and provides involuntary treatment during potential medical emergencies. Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed HB 7021 into law. The new law will make it easier to access involuntary services and allow police officers to more easily request involuntary testing when necessary. WESH 2 spoke with licensed mental health therapist Sherette McCullough, who said the change is absolutely necessary. “Because when a person is in that state, they don’t really know how to get back to a stable state.” At the same time, McCullough wants to make sure police officers receive proper training. “How do we make sure that police officers don’t underuse this or overuse it,” McCullough said. “Now we need to think about what kind of training we need and make sure that it’s going to have a positive impact on the community.” Along with the bill, the governor also approved $50 million for the Department of Children and Families to provide mental health and substance abuse care. McCullough hopes the money gets to the right places. “When is that money going to be disbursed? How is it actually going to be distributed in the community?” McCullough said. The new law goes into effect July 1. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. Click here for a list of free resources in Central Florida.
Florida is set to enact new guidelines for emergency mental health services starting next week.
In general Baker ActIt focuses on crisis response services for people living with mental illness and provides involuntary treatment during potential medical emergencies.
Governor Ron DeSantis recently HB7021 Now written into law, the new law will make compulsory services more accessible and allow law enforcement officers to more easily request compulsory testing when necessary.
WESH 2 spoke with Charlette McCullough, a licensed mental health therapist, who said the change is absolutely necessary because “when people are in that state, they don’t really know how to get back to stability.”
At the same time, McCullough wants to ensure officers receive proper training.
“How do we make sure that our officers aren’t under-utilizing this or over-utilizing it,” McCullough said, “figuring out what kind of training do our officers need now to make sure that this is going to have a positive impact on the community.”
The Governor approved $50 million along with the bill. Ministry of Children and Families Providing mental health and substance abuse care.
McCullough hopes the money ends up in the right place.
“When is that money going to be distributed? How is it actually going to be distributed in our community?” McCullough said.
of New Law It will come into effect on July 1st.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call or text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Click here to see a list of free resources in Central Florida.
