Calling the legislation “draconian,” Democratic Senator Chris Murphy has stated that the involuntary treatment requirements should be reshaped or removed from Republican Congressman Tim Murphy’s proposed Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act.
“For years, the biggest sticking point for the House’s Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act has been the expansion of involuntary outpatient treatment,” reported The Hill. “That idea has created a sharp divide between mental health groups and has prevented the bill from advancing.”
The Hill reported that in a Facebook chat, Chris Murphy said any provision that would withhold funds from states without involuntary treatment laws was problematic. “Rep. (Tim) Murphy’s bill requires every state to have laws requiring some form of court ordered outpatient treatment and a lower bar for inpatient commitment,” Chris Murphy said. “We are trying to find a less draconian way to go.”
Dem senator eyes changes to ‘draconian’ provision in mental health bill (The Hill, May 21, 2015)