FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2007
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Senate Hearing on Proposed Change to PA Mental Health Procedures Act

Would establish a procedure for obtaining court orders for certain individuals with mental illness to receive and accept outpatient treatment.

Harrisburg – The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Sen. Ted Erickson (R-26), will hold a public hearing next week on a proposed change to the state Mental Health Procedures Act.

Senate Bill 226, sponsored by Sen. Stewart Greenleaf (R-12), would establish a procedure for obtaining court orders for certain individuals with mental illness to receive and accept outpatient treatment.

The hearing will be held Tuesday, Oct. 2, at 9 a.m. in Hearing Room 1 of the Capitol's North Office Building.

Senate Bill 226 is modeled after "Kendra's Law" in New York.  That law provides for the commitment to outpatient treatment for mentally ill individuals who have experienced multiple hospitalizations or imprisonments as a result of not complying with their treatment plan.

Scheduled to testify are Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Secretary Estelle Richman, mental health experts, and relatives of family members with mental illness.
 

CONTACT: Michele Hansarick 717-787-1350

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