Multiple preventable tragedies around California in 2011 raised awareness of the overlooked role Laura’s Law could play in reducing the consequences of non-treatment for severe mental illness. For news about counties where active support for implementation of Laura’s Law is emerging now, click a link below. For general information, visit any page in the Key Laura’s Law Links to the right. 

For one California county’s experience reducing the consequences of non-treatment for severe mental illness and saving taxpayer money while doing it, read the story here or  see the video on YouTube.

• Mendocino County – site of two slayings and the law enforcement shooting death of suspect Aaron Bassler after  a 36-day manhunt – Supervisors to discuss implementing Laura’s Law on Oct. 25 
• Orange County – site of the police beating death of Kelly Thomas in Fullerton and the rampage killing of 8 in a Seal Beach beauty salon – Supervisors receive distorted report from mental health officials    
• San Francisco County – 10 of 13 mayoral candidates endorse implementing Laura’s Law; after San Francisco killing, psychiatrist Gary Tsai writes, "Ignore the severely mentally ill, court disaster"

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civil commitment laws and standards

California, like every state, has its own civil commitment laws that establish criteria for determining when court-ordered treatment is appropriate for individuals with severe mental illness who are too ill to seek care voluntarily.

California's law allows court-ordered treatment in the community, often called “assisted outpatient treatment” or “outpatient commitment,” but only in counties that have passed a resolution to implement Laura's Law.    In California:       

• State law establishes civil commitment procedures and standards for court-ordered treatment in an inpatient (hospital) or outpatient (community) setting.
•  California still uses a treatment standard based primarily on a person’s likelihood of being dangerous instead of using a more progressive “need for treatment” standard as in many states.    

To get court-ordered treatment for a loved one:           

• For inpatient care, there must be (1) a danger to self/others or (2) inability to provide for basic personal needs for food, clothing, or shelter.
• For outpatient care in counties that have adopted Laura’s Law, the individual must have a condition likely to substantially deteriorate; be unlikely to survive safely in community without supervision; have a history of noncompliance that includes two hospitalizations in past 36 months;act/threaten/attempt of violence to self/others in 48 months immediately preceding petition filing; be likely to need treatment to prevent meeting inpatient standard; be likely to benefit from assisted treatment.
• For outpatient care in counties that have not implemented Laura's Law, there currently is no legal mechanism.

To read the California state standard for civil commitment, consult our "State Standards for Assisted Treatment." California statute appears on page 6. To see a chart that summarizes and compares state laws nationwide, click here.  

Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to join the effort in your county!

Why Laura's Law

 Read the 10th anniversary press release:

TEN YEARS AFTER MURDERS: Law Meant to Prevent Tragedies Remains Overlooked and Unused

 "On January 10, 2001, our daughter, Laura, was at work at California's Nevada County Behavioral Health clinic. A client appeared for a scheduled appointment. Without warning or provocation, he drew a handgun and shot Laura four times. When the rampage at the clinic and at a nearby restaurant ended, Laura and two others lay dead, and two were injured.

"California passed Laura’s Law to help make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to another family. Laura was at the clinic that day to help. 

"We’re asking for you help to bring Laura’s Law to your county and help save lives."

--Amanda and Nick Wilcox