TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — New guidelines for emergency mental health services in Florida will take effect next week, marking significant changes to the state’s Baker Act, which governs involuntary treatment for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed HB 7021 into law, a measure designed to streamline access to involuntary services. The new legislation empowers law enforcement officers to more readily request involuntary examinations when deemed necessary.
Licensed mental health therapist Cherlette McCullough spoke with WESH 2 about the critical need for these changes. “When a person is in that place, they don’t really know how to get back to stabilization,” McCullough explained.
However, McCullough emphasized the importance of proper training for officers to ensure the law is applied appropriately. “How are we going to make sure that the police officers are not under-using this or over-using it?” she questioned. “We need to determine the type of training required to ensure this change positively impacts the community.”
In addition to the legislative changes, Governor DeSantis approved $50 million for the Department of Children and Families to enhance mental health and substance abuse care services. McCullough expressed concerns about the effective allocation of these funds. “When will those funds be released, and how will they be distributed within our community?” she asked.
The new law is set to go into effect on July 1.
For those experiencing a crisis, help is available by calling or texting 988, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
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