FL S0514

Department of Children and Families shall create a workgroup to evaluate methods to improve the operational effectiveness of the Baker Act and recommend changes to existing laws, rules, and agency policies.

Workgroup shall evaluate and make recommendations on initial assessment timeframes, use of advanced registered nurse practitioners to rescind commitments, telemedicine for patient evaluation and care, the 7-day followup care requirement for outpatient providers, and other areas to improve Baker Act effectiveness.

Workgroup membership includes 16 stakeholder groups including representatives from the Department of Children and Families (chair), hospitals, crisis stabilization units, law enforcement, judiciary, public defenders, state attorneys, physicians, nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, and mental health councils.

Workgroup members must be appointed by June 1, 2015, with first meeting before July 1, 2015, draft recommendations reviewed before September 1, 2015, and final report submitted to state officials and Legislature by November 1, 2015.

Individual workgroup members are responsible for their own travel expenses, and meetings shall be held in Tallahassee with frequency determined by the workgroup.