FL H1195

Authorizes physician assistants and advanced registered nurse practitioners to initiate involuntary examinations under the Baker Act for persons believed to have mental illness, in addition to physicians, clinical psychologists, psychiatric nurses, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and clinical social workers.

Allows these healthcare professionals to execute certificates stating they have examined a person within the preceding 48 hours and that the person appears to meet criteria for involuntary examination.

Requires law enforcement officers to take persons named in such certificates into custody and deliver them to the nearest receiving facility when less restrictive means are unavailable.

Requires receiving facilities to send copies of executed certificates to the Agency for Health Care Administration on the next working day.

Effective date: July 1, 2012.