News Report | February 14, 2000
Florida Supreme Court Calls for Civil Commitment Law Overhaul
February 14, 2000
Florida Supreme Court Calls for Civil Commitment Law Overhaul
A commission appointed by the Florida Supreme Court released a report on December 28, 1999 concluding that the state's civil commitment law needs an overhaul, including statutory reforms, improvements in court procedures, and increased funding. The report is the first comprehensive review of the Baker Act's judicial administration since it was first enacted nearly 30 years ago. The law authorizes the civil commitment of some mentally ill persons. The Court's Commission on Fairness concluded that the Baker Act has an especially negative . . .