FORT WALTON BEACH — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed a bill introduced by Republican Rep. Pat Manney of Shalimar, Fla., that would implement sweeping reforms to mental health care in Florida.
The bill, known as HB 7021, “Mental Health and Substance Abuse,” seeks to modernize Florida’s Baker and Marchman laws for the first time since they were approved in 1971 and 1993, respectively.
In a press release on Friday, Gov. Manney said the bill would be a “groundbreaking step” for the future of mental health care in Florida, adding, “Florida families will benefit. Our communities will benefit. The Governor’s approval of this legislation today puts all Floridians struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues on a positive trajectory.”
DeSantis’ signature measure, approved unanimously at each stage, would implement modernized standards for mandatory mental health treatment, broaden the definition of licensure for mental health practitioners qualified to provide treatment, and redefine the responsibilities of county courts to reduce recidivism.
A $50 million budget will also be allocated to support the revised legislation.
“These improvements, which address outdated deficiencies in our mental health care system, are long overdue, and I am grateful that the Governor signed this into law,” Manney added. “The fight continues, and I look forward to continuing our bipartisan work to enact legislation that matters to our most vulnerable Floridians.”
More about HB 7021:Florida House Passes Manny’s Mental Health Reform Bill
The new law aims to improve public safety while protecting individual liberties, and should improve treatment outcomes while using taxpayer dollars more efficiently.
For law enforcement and health care providers, the bill would allow discretion in whether to initiate mandatory mental health evaluations, while allowing physician assistants and APRNs to practice physical health care in psychiatric settings within their scope of practice.
The new bill updates testimony standards, allows for testimony by correspondence, and provides new opportunities for family members to testify. Additionally, the new bill updates the Marchman Act to require only one petition instead of two.
Additionally, the new rules expand courts’ authority to determine the types of mandatory services ordered and require data collection and analysis to be posted on the state Department of Children and Families’ website.
A companion Senate bill, SB 1784, introduced by Republican Sen. Erin Grall, R-Fort Pierce, was approved by the Senate earlier this year and is currently awaiting approval from the governor’s office.
