To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Behavioral Health
Agenda Section: Departmental
SUBJECT:
title
AB1976 Mental Health Services: Assisted Outpatient Treatment
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve, and authorize the Chair of the Board to agree to the recommendation of opting out of Laura's Law - Assisted Outpatient Treatment;
2. Adopt the attached resolution opting out of Laura's Law; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return a certified copy of the attached resolution to the Department of Health and Human Services - Contract Unit for further processing.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Behavioral Health (1170)
DISCUSSION:
The Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act of 1967, codified as Welfare & Institutions Code ?5000-?5556, provides, in part, for involuntary commitment of individuals with serious mental illness for varying lengths of time for the purpose of treatment and evaluation, provided certain requirements are met.
In addition to involuntary treatment as provided for in the LPS Act, individuals suffering from the effects of mental illness who have pending criminal charges may request mental health diversion [Penal Code ?1001.35-?1001.36] or misdemeanor diversion [Penal Code ?1001-1001.9]. A treatment plan is then adopted by the court, and compliance is required by the participant in order to have pending criminal charges dismissed after successful completion.
As an alternative to diversion and/or involuntary commitment, current law also provides for court-ordered outpatient treatment, referred to as "Laura's Law," or "Assisted Outpatient Treatment" (AOT). In 2002, the California Legislature passed Assembly Bill 1421 (Thomson), which was written and implemented in memory of Laura Wilcox, a young woman who was killed by an individual with mental health issues who refused treatment. Laura's Law gives counties the option of implementing AOT programs for individuals who have difficulty maintaining their...
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