STATEHOUSE (Feb. 16, 2021) – The House of Representatives voted unanimously in support of State Rep. Brad Barrett's (R-Richmond) legislation that would help law enforcement agencies recoup costs of transporting mental health patients.
Last year, Wayne County Sheriff's Department transported 115 patients with severe mental illness from the local hospital to facilities throughout Indiana, racking up over 14,000 miles.
Barrett said when a patient with severe mental illness is deemed dangerous to themselves and others, they are committed by a judge to an immediate 24-hour detention in a hospital. This holding period can be extended to 72 hours if the patient does not improve, and if there are not any available beds at a local facility, patients can be moved to a mental health center or another hospital. The county is assigned the responsibility of transporting patients in this situation by state law.
"A lot of time and resources are being spent on transporting patients, especially when a person must be taken to a facility beyond county lines," Barrett said. "With this situation becoming increasingly common, local sheriff department's budgets are taking a hit. This legislation would help ease the financial burdens they are facing."
Under Barrett's bill, the patient could be billed for transportation costs, much like when a patient is billed for an ambulance ride. The Richmond lawmaker said his legislation would help mitigate concerns expressed by the local sheriff that the department's transportation costs continue to grow.
According to a study conducted by Treatment Advocacy Center in 2017, over $900 million was spent by law enforcement across the country in transporting people with severe mental illness. The study also found that over 20 percent of law enforcement staff time was used in responding to and transporting individuals with mental illness.
House Bill 1372 now moves to the Senate for further consideration. To learn more and watch legislative proceedings online, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Brad Barrett (R-Richmond) represents House District 56,
which includes portions of Wayne County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
