The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard HB 1006 on mental health programs sponsored by Sen. Freeman and Sen. Crider. The author, Rep. Steuerwald, introduced the bill which specifies the circumstances under which a person may be involuntarily committed to a facility for mental health services and specifies that these services are medically necessary. The bill also establishes a local mental health referral program to provide mental health treatment for certain persons who have been arrested.
The bill was amended by consent to:
- Specify that treatment must use accepted clinical care guidelines and may include medication.
- Require an application for detention to use a form prepared by the Office of Judicial Administration.
- Provide that if a patient is admitted between midnight and 8 a.m., the detention time periods begin to run at 8 a.m.
- Allow a probable cause finding to be based on information provided to the physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant.
The United Way, Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council, Indiana Public Defender Council, Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers, Behavioral Health Commission, Indiana State Bar Association – Criminal Justice Section, Indiana Judges Association, Mental Health America of Indiana, Association of Indiana Counties, Indiana State Nurses Association, Indiana Hospital Association, and the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association testified in support of the bill. Numerous individuals with psychiatric diagnoses testified in opposition. The National Alliance on Mental Illness, Indiana Disability Rights, and the Department of Correction testified, but remained neutral. The amended bill passed 7-1 and was recommended to Appropriations.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2023/bills/house/1006