New Provision in FL Baker Act
There has been a slight change in Chapter (Statute) 491 and the FL Baker Act, also known as the Florida Mental Health Act, or Chapter (Statute) 394. Florida Senate Bill 1418 amended section 394.4615, F.S., to provide additional confidential records release circumstances and section 491.0147, F.S., to require persons licensed or certified under chapter 491, […]
Stalking: Prevelance and Effects
Stalking involves a pattern of malicious, intrusive behaviors and unwanted attention. Someone might be stalked by an ex-lover, a casual acquaintance, or by someone he/she has never met. Usually, however, a stalker is someone the victim knows. About 1 in 5 female victims and 1 in 14 male victims experienced stalking between the ages of […]
Abuse or Neglect of an Elderly or Disabled Adult
Chapter 315 Florida Statutes is designed to protect against abuse or neglect of an elderly or disabled adult. It is intended to detect and correct abuse, neglect, and exploitation and establish a program of protective services. Vulnerable or disabled adult means a person 18 years of age or older whose ability to perform the normal […]
Failure to Report Suspicion of Child Abuse Now A 3rd Degree Felony
Failure to report suspicion of child abuse, neglect, or exploitation is now a 3rd degree felony! Effective October 1, 2012 the law changed failure to report from a misdemeanor to a 3rd degree felony. Each and every mandated reporter who suspects abuse, neglect, or exploitation MUST make a call to the hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE. When […]
Minors and The Florida Baker Act
Florida Baker Act UPDATE Effective July 1, 2017 House Bill 1121 requires mental health receiving facilities to initiate an involuntary examination of a minor admitted under the Florida Baker Act. This examination must take place within 12 hours of arrival at the facility. For more information, contact the Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage […]