House acts to prioritize psych hospital beds for severely mentally ill

COLUMBUS — More beds in Ohio's six psychiatric hospitals could be freed up for those most in need of them under a bill unanimously passed by the House of Representatives Thursday.

Currently, about two-thirds of the beds in these hospitals are taken up by criminal defendants ordered there by courts to restore them to mental competency so they can stand trial.

Senate Bill 2, sponsored by Sen. Theresa Gavarone (R., Bowling Green), would require courts to consider alternatives outside the state hospital setting for such individuals, particularly those charged with non-violent misdemeanors.

“Senate Bill 2 frees up mental health resources for those who need it most by focusing in-patient competency evaluations on those charged with felonies or violent offenses,” Rep. David Leland (D., Columbus) said. “Our criminal justice system has been plagued by the over-incarceration of individuals who need mental health treatment, not prison.

Read more: https://www.toledoblade.com/local/politics/2021/03/25/House-acts-to-prioritize-psych-hospital-beds-for-severely-mentally-ill/stories/20210325119
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