March 6, 2000

Oklahoma Bill Would Move Mentally Ill From Jail to Treatment Centers

House Bill 2400, approved by the Oklahoma House Mental Health Committee, will move the mentally ill out of the Oklahoma jails and into treatment centers if passed by the House. The bill, authored by Representative Wallace Collins, would set up a voluntary program in which counties, cities, and towns could divert the mentally ill from imprisonment when they come in contact with law enforcement officials. Areas that adopt the jail diversion programs would be required to develop standards and conduct training that would . . .