San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors enacts Laura’s Law

Last week, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to enact Laura’s Law, a California state law that allows for counties to utilize courts, probation, and mental health systems to address the needs of individuals unable to participate in community mental health treatment programs without supervision.

Laura’s Law is named after Laura Wilcox, a receptionist who was killed by a man in Nevada County who had refused psychiatric treatment.

“By taking this action, we are strengthening the partnership between County Behavioral Health, the Sheriff, and the County’s entire law and justice system to ensure the wellbeing and rights of all of our residents, including the mentally ill, are served and protected,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Dawn Rowe.

“I appreciate the unanimous support of the Board of Supervisors to taking today’s meaningful step to address the human component of our current mental health crisis and its associated effects. I look forward to working with all our county partners as we collaboratively develop and implement solutions”, said Sheriff Shannon Dicus.

Dicus reports that the vast majority of the mentally ill homeless residents encountered by his Homeless Outreach and Proactive Enforcement (HOPE) team don’t understand they are mentally ill and therefore resist help. Laura’s Law will allow for court-ordered assisted outpatient treatment for those with severe mental illnesses who have a history of hospitalizations, incarceration and violence.

“Homelessness is, in large part, a mental health problem. This action recognizes that reality and gives law enforcement and the courts new tools and resources to ensure that our chronically homeless get the mental health services they need,” said Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman Col. Paul Cook (Ret.).

To ensure the local implementation of Laura’s Law is successful, the Board of Supervisors is adding 18 positions to Behavioral Health, the Sheriff’s Department, and the Public Defender’s Office to counsel, treat, and protect the rights of potentially hundreds of new clients.

Last week’s action is the latest step taken by the Board of Supervisors in the fight against homelessness.

In March, the Board agreed to leverage $72.7 million in federal, state and county resources to support the County’s landmark Homeless Strategic Action Plan, which was adopted by the Board last year.