The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved expanding Laura’s Law, which allows for court-ordered outpatient treatment for people with serious mental illness.

The Board of Supervisors voted to expand the existing outpatient treatment program from 20 to 300 slots and create a team that will reach out to potential patients and manage the court filing process when necessary.

Once the program is up and running, a family member, treatment provider or law enforcement officer will be able to ask the county to file for a court order requiring someone to undergo psychiatric treatment. Those who don’t comply can be taken into custody on a 72-hour psychiatric hold.

The intent is to get patients to voluntarily engage in treatment.

Contact: Jaime Garcia

(213) 538-0702, jgarcia@hasc.org