This week, State Senator Lauren Book (D-Plantation), filed SB 828, a measure that would act as a revision to the long-standing Baker and Marchman Acts.
SB 828, also called the "Mental Health and Substance Abuse" Act, would be the first comprehensive reform of the civil commitment system in the last 50 years.
Sen. Book, the author of the bill believes, says 'It's long past time the State of Florida modernized the Baker and Marchman Acts." "adding that the changes must "reflect advances in case law and best practices in medicine and psychology.'
SB 828's end goal stands to "compassionately and effectively providing care for individuals in crisis.'
While the bill was filed just this week, this will be Book's second attempt at getting this legislation behind her. Fortunately, it appears that the Senator may be greeted with success this time around, as Mental Health Court Judge, Steven Leifman, reinforced the ambitions of SB 828.
"As the Baker Act turns 50, it's time to modernize the law to reflect today's science and medicine," said Judge Leifman contributed.
Leifman added that SB 828 "will ensure that behavioral healthcare is more efficiently provided, public safety is enhanced and people with mental health and substance use disorders will have the opportunity for hope and recovery."
Unfortunately, there seems to be a lack of analytics provided for the public to know how such legislation will impact all Floridians. These ideas usually seem great in theory, but it is the duty of the public to remain skeptical when happy-go-lucky laws such as these are entertained.
