FL H0505

Department of Children and Families must create a workgroup to evaluate and recommend improvements to the Baker Act's operational effectiveness, including potential changes to laws, rules, and agency policies

Workgroup must address specific topics: timeframes for initial assessment, use of advanced registered nurse practitioners to rescind commitments, telemedicine for patient evaluation and care, and the 7-day followup care requirement for outpatient providers

Workgroup membership includes approximately 20 stakeholders representing DCF, hospitals, crisis stabilization units, law enforcement, judiciary, public defenders, state attorneys, physicians, nurses, psychologists, and psychiatrists from various professional associations

Members must be appointed by June 1, 2015, with the first meeting before July 1, 2015, draft recommendations reviewed by September 1, 2015, and a final report due November 1, 2015

Final report must be submitted to the Secretary of Children and Families, Secretary of Health Care Administration, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House, including findings and recommended statutory and administrative rule changes