Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment in your own Home?
Say No to HB2212!
HB2212 calls for Outpatient Psychiatric Commitments, Court-ordered Psychiatric Drugging, and Forced Emergency Drugging
What is House Bill 2212?
This is an outpatient commitment bill. In other words, you could be committed to involuntary psychiatric treatment in your own home, or in a group home or other living arrangement. Currently, involuntary commitment is reserved for people who are a danger to themselves or others to such an extent that they cannot remain at liberty.
- By definition, HB2212 would take people who do not meet the criteria for inpatient commitment and order them into treatment. This is an assault on liberty.
- HB2212 calls for case managers to be part of the treatment team. Does this means unwelcome visitors to one’s home?
- HB2212 allows court-ordered outpatient drugging. What if you don’t want the drugs?
- HB2212 allows for forced emergency drugging on an outpatient basis.
While involuntary outpatient commitment intrudes on your privacy and your liberty, here’s what it doesn’t do:
- No reduction in violence.[1]
- No reduction in hospitalizations.[2]
- Promote compliance or good outcomes.[3]
This bill will be heard by the House Public Health Committee on Wednesday, March 27, 2013. Meeting starts at 8:00 am in room E2.012. Show up! Speak out! Register in Opposition to this bill!
In the mean time, call the members of the House Public Health Committee. Let them know you oppose this bill. Their names and contact information can be found below.
Let’s get busy! Let’s stand up for human rights!
Names and Phone Numbers
House Public Health Committee Members
Lois Kolkhorst, Chair 512-463-0600
Elliot Naisthat, Vice-chair 512-463-0668 He’s the author of the bill.
Garnet Coleman 512-463-0524
Nicole Collier 512-463-0716
Philip Cortez 512-463-0269
Sarah Davis 512-463-0389
R.D. Bobby Guerra 512-463-0578
Susan King 512-463-0718
Jodie Laubenberg 512-463-0186
Bill Zedler 512-463-0374
[1] New York Study at Belleview Hospital, http://www.bazelon.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=M148E52X0k8%3D&tabid=324
[1] Ibid
[1] Rand, Does Involuntary Outpatient Treatment Work? http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB4537/index1.html