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NEW LAW! Florida becomes 42nd state to authorize assisted outpatient treatment. On June 30, 2004, Gov. Jeb Bush signed the Florida Sheriffs Association’s legislation to reform Florida's mental illness treatment law, known as the Baker Act. The law will allow 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. 

STATEMENT BY SHERIFF ESLINGER "This legislation will no doubt enhance mental health intervention and treatment services that will ultimately result in improved public safety for our communities,” said Seminole County Sheriff Donald F. Eslinger. 

STATEMENT BY MARY ZDANOWICZ “Court-ordered outpatient treatment is a less restrictive, less expensive treatment alternative for people who need intervention but do not require inpatient hospitalization,” said Treatment Advocacy Center Executive Director Mary T. Zdanowicz. “States with similar laws that implement them effectively have had well-documented successes in helping people whose brain diseases prevent them from making rational treatment decisions.” 

STATEMENT BY REP. DAVID SIMMONS, BILL SPONSOR “Not only does a court order commit someone to treatment, but it commits the system to help the person,” said bill sponsor Rep. David Simmons. “This law can ensure existing services are used more wisely, and scarce resources are not exhausted by people continually entering and exiting the system without gaining stability.” 

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