FL S1458

Authorizes physician assistants and advanced registered nurse practitioners to initiate involuntary examinations under the Baker Act for persons appearing to have mental illness, alongside existing authority granted to physicians, clinical psychologists, psychiatric nurses, and mental health counselors.

Requires basic training programs for emergency medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters, and law enforcement officers to include curriculum on identifying and responding to mental illness.

Directs the Department of Children and Families to adopt rules establishing curriculum standards for first responder mental health training in consultation with the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council, Firefighters Employment Standards and Training Council, and Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.

Establishes legislative findings that first responders are likely to be first contacted for assistance involving persons with mental illness and should receive appropriate training for such encounters.

Effective date: July 1, 2015.