The Board of Supervisors approved a motion by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich supporting the expansion of “Laura’s Law” which allows counties to provide court-ordered mental health treatment for those who refuse to obtain help.
“It is vital that life-saving programs are expanded throughout the state to help the mentally ill recover and live productive lives,” said Antonovich.
“Laura’s Law” reformed the “Lanterman-Petris-Short Law,” which had prohibited judges, families, and physicians from compelling the severely mentally ill to accept treatment.
A pilot program initiated by Antonovich in Los Angeles County has successfully stabilized and reintegrated participants back into the community with a 78 percent reduction in incarcerations and a 77 percent reduction in hospitalizations. These reductions significantly improved the lives of program participants and cut the costs to the community and taxpayers by almost 40 percent.
Laura’s Law is patterned after New York State’s Kendra’s Law, which has shown tremendous success after just five years. Data conclusively demonstrates that assisted outpatient treatment significantly reduces severe consequences for participants.
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