Michigan: Legislation to create mental health courts passes senate

LANSING, MI — After receiving approval from the state Senate Thursday, a package of bills that would create mental health courts throughout Michigan now moves to the governor's desk for approval.

House Bills 4694-97 would create mental health courts throughout Michigan. State Rep. Margaret O'Brien, who authored HB 4697, said the legislation was introduced, in part, due to the success of Kalamazoo County's mental health courts.

"The system that has been established in Kalamazoo County is a shining example of the success mental health can have across the state of Michigan," said O'Brien, R-Portage "Currently over 20 percent of inmates in the state suffer from some form of mental illness. This legislation will help these people to get the help they need and rehabilitate their lives which in turn will have a positive effect on taxpayers saving them money and reducing the strain on the overburdened prison system in this state."

Under the legislation, a mental health court must provide consistent and close monitoring of all participants, periodic and random drug and alcohol testing; periodic assessment of the participant's progress; and mental health services, substance use services, education, and vocational opportunities.

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http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2013/12/counties_could_be_required_to.html