San Luis Obispo County, California - At a recent SLO Board of
Supervisors meeting Supervisor Adam Hill successfully advocated for the
County to take the steps necessary to lower the costs of implementing a
pilot Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program, also known as Laura’s Law.
The
Board of Supervisors formed a subcommittee to oversee development of
the pilot program, which Hill will serve on. In addition to the
potential long term cost savings this program could provide, from a
reduction in hospitalization and incarceration of people suffering from
mental illness, it also fosters a healthier and safer environment for
the people suffering from mental illness, as well as the entire
community by potentially reducing the number of violent events.
Laura’s
Law authorizes court ordered outpatient treatment for people with
untreated severe mental illness if they meet strict legal criteria. The
law was passed by the California Legislature in 2002, a year after a
person with a history of untreated mental health problems went on a
shooting rampage that left Laura Wilcox, 17, Pearlie Mae Feldman, 68,
and Mike Markle, 24, dead.
"This is a critical program to help address the scourge of untreated mental illness in our community,” said Hill.
For more information on this potential program, please contact Supervisor Adam Hill at 805-781-4336 or submit press inquiry at https://adamhill.us
CONTACT:
Hannah Miller, Legislative Assistant
805-781-4336
contact@adamhill.us
https://adamhill.us