San Luis Obispo County, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/08/2015 -- At a recent SLO Board of Supervisors meeting Supervisor Adam Hill successfully advocated for the County to take the steps necessary to lower the costs of implementing a pilot Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program, also known as Laura's Law.

The Board of Supervisors formed a subcommittee to oversee development of the pilot program, which Hill will serve on. In addition to the potential long term cost savings this program could provide, from a reduction in hospitalization and incarceration of people suffering from mental illness, it also fosters a healthier and safer environment for the people suffering from mental illness, as well as the entire community by potentially reducing the number of violent events.

Laura's Law authorizes court ordered outpatient treatment for people with untreated severe mental illness if they meet strict legal criteria. The law was passed by the California Legislature in 2002, a year after a person with a history of untreated mental health problems went on a shooting rampage that left Laura Wilcox, 17, Pearlie Mae Feldman, 68, and Mike Markle, 24, dead.

"This is a critical program to help address the scourge of untreated mental illness in our community," said Hill.

For more information on this potential program, please contact Supervisor Adam Hill at 805-781-4336 or submit press inquiry at https://adamhill.us/

CONTACT:
Hannah Miller, Legislative Assistant
805-781-4336
contact@adamhill.us
https://adamhill.us/