FORT WALTON BEACH — The Florida House and Senate unanimously passed HB 7021, Mental Health and Substance Abuse. This bill would modernize Florida’s Baker Act and Marchman Act to improve Florida’s mental health system.
State Rep. Pat Manney (R-Shalimar) and Speaker Paul Renner sponsored the bill, which represents the first major legislative change in 53 and 30 years, respectively.
HB 7021, which was unanimously approved by the committees, modernizes standards for involuntary mental health treatment services, expands the definition of certified physicians eligible to provide care, and tightens district court liability. It is something.
These initiatives aim to reduce relapse, improve access to care, and increase the efficiency of mental health services and are supported by a $50 million budget.
“Persistence always pays off,” Money said in a news release. “After four years in office pursuing these improvements, I am pleased that my colleagues are as determined as I am to see this good law implemented.”
Highlights of this bill include improving public safety, protecting individual liberties, improving treatment outcomes, and making more efficient use of taxpayer resources.
The bill also grants law enforcement discretion to initiate involuntary mental health evaluations. Physician assistants and their APRNs are also permitted to provide physical medical care in psychiatric medical settings within the scope of their duties.
Additionally, the bill would revise the testimonial standards to allow only one Marchman Act evaluation and treatment application. It also gave courts the authority to determine the types of involuntary services ordered and required data collection and analysis to be posted on the Department of Children and Families’ website.
A companion bill in the Senate, SB 1784, sponsored by Sen. Erin Goulart (R-Fort Pierce) was approved unanimously on Friday. The bill will now be sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office for consideration.
“Florida families deserve a warm hand in care and a positive outcome in stabilization and treatment when their loved one is evaluated for mental health needs,” Money added. “Especially after the pandemic, our mental health is too important to ignore, and this comprehensive bill is a great stepping stone to even greater improvements in the years to come.”
