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July 7, 2012

Coordination bill signed

OKLAHOMA CITY — Legislation signed by Gov. Mary Fallin will improve the coordination of law enforcement and state behavioral health services, according to state Reps. Ben Sherrer and Seneca Scott.

“This signed legislation will improve coordination between law enforcement and behavioral health services,” said Sherrer, D-Pryor Creek. “The new law will improve the quality of service to Oklahomans and reduce the time this particular service takes away from law enforcement.”

“I have a number of local police departments who have contacted me about the problems they have in having to devote too much energy in transferring individuals with behavioral health problems across the state,” said Scott, D-Tulsa. “This law should encourage better systems that will waste less time for the officers involved and help behavioral health workers in obtaining assessments.”

House Bill 2254, by state Rep. Ben Sherrer, allows the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to establish a law enforcement behavioral health emergency dispatch system if specifically requested in two or more regional emergency medical service plans. The new law also states that any person found guilty of a felony may, prior to sentencing, be required to submit to an approved risk, mental health and substance abuse assessment and evaluation administered and scored by assessment personnel certified by the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. The results of the assessment shall be admissible as evidence in a criminal case or for the purposes of determining sentencing options.

Scott has been working with a legislative task force on the issue.

“We will continue to try to improve the coordination between behavioral health workers, health care providers and law enforcement,” said Scott. “The task force allows a number of entities to weigh in on how to create solid policy to address this issue.”

The new law will be effective

Nov. 1.



 

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