Baker Act

Freshman legislator Rep. Brad Drake (R-5), got his due ribbing when HB 535 was heard at the Health Care Services Policy Committee yesterday afternoon. Supported by FHCA, this bill provides for a memorandum of understanding between law enforcement and receiving facilities, and many committee members had questions regarding some of the terms used in the bill. After a lengthy discussion, the entire committee voted against the bill. Rep. Juan Zapata (R-119) , however, called for reconsideration and, in a second vote, the bill was unanimously passed on to the next committee.