Civil Commitment Study Advances In Colorado
DENVER (AP) — A task force would study how to consolidate Colorado laws for placing someone in involuntary commitment under a bill advanced by House lawmakers.
The bill given initial approval Tuesday in a House committee would create a group to meet later this year and make recommendations to lawmakers by Nov. 1.
Colorado has three different statutory processes for placing someone in involuntary commitment for mental health, alcohol, and substance abuse. Democratic Rep. Beth McCann says the goal is to eliminate confusion and make it easier for judges to understand the basis for emergency holds.
Gov. John Hickenlooper and state health officials called for the proposal when they outlined initiatives to revamp Colorado's mental health services in response to the shootings at a suburban Denver movie theater.
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