Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan: “Why We Need Laura’s Law in Alameda County”

Official Statement: Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan
“Why We Need Laura’s Law in Alameda County”

Oakland, CA – On Tuesday, February 25, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors will discuss adopting “Laura’s Law” in the county. Attached is a statement of support and additional background from Supervisor Wilma Chan released in advance of the vote.

"In 2002, the State Legislature enacted AB 1421 – also known as Laura’s Law – because California needed a more humane treatment option for those with serious mental illnesses.

On Tuesday, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors will vote upon a proposal to create a local version of Laura’s Law. The issues are much the same today as they were twelve years ago. However, the need is even greater due to the $15 billion in cuts to our safety net services that have negatively affected the welfare of our communities.

As a current member of the County Board of Supervisors, I will vote to support Laura’s Law – this time to create a local program that will provide a more compassionate and effective solution for those with serious mental illnesses who do not seek treatment or have fallen through the cracks.

Currently, Alameda County has the highest per capita rate of Section 5150 holds in California. Lacking other treatment options, many with serious mental illnesses are repeatedly locked in psychiatric facilities for up to 72 hours under Section 5150. In addition, some individuals face incarceration while others are involuntarily held in state mental hospitals or other psychiatric facilities for extended periods.

Recent data paints a distressing picture. On average, there are thirty Section 5150 holds each day in Alameda County – or more than 900 in a month. This means that every 48 minutes someone in our County is placed on a Section 5150 hold. In addition, there are more than 2,200 persons who have been hospitalized in locked psychiatric facilities for an average of 31 days each.

But it does not have to be that way. A Duke University study has proven that treatment programs based on Laura’s Law make a significant difference. Participants consistently experience fewer incarcerations, hospitalizations and homelessness.

Laura’s Law is a vital tool that can be used to break the unfortunate cycle of Section 5150 holds, incarceration and long-term hospitalization.

Here’s what the program does:

- Participants Live at Home. Laura’s Law requires an Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) program that allows participants to live in the community.
- Families Can Help Their Loved Ones. For the first time, family members are among those who can request that an individual be given a comprehensive psychiatric assessment by the County’s Mental Health Director, an expert medical professional.
- Experts Make All Decisions. The Mental Health Director must determine if a referral to the Behavioral Health Court is warranted. The presiding judge – an expert in mental health issues makes the final determination if an individual is well-suited for the AOT.
- Focus is on Voluntary Treatment. Participants cannot be forced to take medications nor can they be placed in a locked facility under Laura’s Law. Any involuntary hold must take place under existing law such as Section 5150.

A Laura’s Law AOT is an additional tool to help the seriously mentally ill get on the path toward recovery and the ability to lead a productive life. Our County needs this program now.”

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About Supervisor Wilma Chan
Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan represents the Third District. She is the Chair of the County’s Health Committee, member of the County’s Personnel, Administrative, and Legislative Committee, Budget Committee, and Unincorporated Services Committee. She served as the first woman Majority Leader of the California Assembly and was Chair of the Assembly Committee on Health. Supervisor Chan is the sixth woman to serve as a supervisor in the history of Alameda County. http://acgov.org/board/district3