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FLORIDA

Baker Act Reform

Florida was the 42nd state to authorize assisted outpatient treatment. On June 30, 2004, Gov. Jeb Bush signed legislation to reform Florida's mental illness treatment law, known as the Baker Act. The law now allows court-ordered outpatient treatment for people with severe mental illnesses, like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, who have a history of noncompliance combined with either repeated Baker Act admissions or serious violence.

BACKGROUND The Florida Sheriffs Association led the effort to reform the Baker Act to keep those who are too sick to know they need help from getting trapped in the revolving door of short-term hospitalizations, incarcerations, victimization, and violence. By the end of the 2004 session, the Baker Act reform legislation had been reviewed in 15 separate legislative committee hearings. HB 463 passed the House 100-15 and SB 700 passed the Senate 39-0.

Find out more below, or contact us to find out how you can help or for an interview.

Implementation Resources	For Advocates	In the News
Baker Act reform FAQs Baker Act Forms Catalyst: Special Florida edition (PDF version) The new law Assisted treatment works Experiences from other states	Help implement reform Getting someone treatment Advocate tips Florida Legislature recognizes advocates for reform efforts	Governor Bush signs reform! Major Florida newspapers: Editorials General public: opinion pieces and letters News articles On the air

General Resources	Baker Act Reform History	Media Contact
Florida's Mental Health System Impaired awareness of illness (anosognosia) Consequences of nontreatment Treatment Standards Civil Liberties Consumer Voices	Why Baker Act needed reform SB 700 Statements of support Press Release/Statements	Stacy Fiedler, 703 294 6003 or press@treatmentadvocacycenter.org

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