California Governor Davis Signs Bill Allowing Court-Ordered Treatment ForSeriously Mentally Ill

October 7, 2002 California Governor Davis Signs Bill Allowing Court-Ordered Treatment For Seriously Mentally Ill  On September 28, 2002 Governor Gray Davis signed "Laura's Law," (AB 1421) a mental health bill that will allow a court to impose assisted outpatient treatment for the seriously mentally ill. AB 1421, introduced by Assemblymember Helen Thomson (D-Davis), will permit counties to provide court-ordered assisted outpatient treatment for a 180-day period to people with serious mental illnesses. Under current law, the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, people generally can be detained for 72 hours. In extreme cases, they can be . . .