♪ ♪ >>> THE DAY, LET US LISTEN TO THE VOICES THAT CALL OUT, AND LET US TOUCH THE HURT AND PAIN OF GEORGIANS.

>> HE TAKES LEAD AND SUCCESSFULLY PUSHES THROUGH LEGISLATION HE CALLS A DEFINING ISSUE THAT WILL TOUCH THE LIVES OF MANY GEORGIANS, THE EXPANSIVE MENTAL HEALTH CHARITY BILL.

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO LAWMAKERS ON THIS DAY, 25 OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS.

IN THE SHOW, WE WILL HAVE MORE ON THE MENTAL HEALTH CHARITY BILL.

THEY FUNDED THE BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION.

REPRESENTATIVE TODD JONES, WILL BREAK DOWN THE MAJOR ELEMENTS OF THE BILL.

LY THEY WILL TALK ABOUT THE MAJOR PORTIONS OF THE BILL THAT FOCUS ON GETTING INSURERS TO TREAT MENTAL HEALTH LIKE PHYSICAL HEALTH.

PLUS, CHANGES TO THE DEFINITION OF INVOLUNTARILY TERRY TREATMENT, OPTIONS FOR LOAN FORGIVENESS, AND STRATEGIES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT SUPPORT AND CORRECTIONS AND PLUS, MOFRMT ALL OF IT, IN AN EFFORT TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHEN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS ERUPTS.

BUT, FIRST, WE HEAD TO THE CAPITOL, WHERE CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT BRENDA WATERS GIVE US A WRAP UP OF WHAT HAPPENED TODAY.

>> A BILL CLOSE TO SPEAKER RALSTON'S HEART PASSED IN THE HOUSE TODAY.

THE MENTAL HEALTH ACT.

HOUSE BILL PASSED 169-3, AND THE MEASURE GET A ROUND OF APPLAUSE AND A STANDING ON -- STANDING OVATION.

>> IT'S NOT ABOUT POLITICAL PARTY, RACE OR GENDER ON TORE THINGS THAT DIVIDE US, THIS IS ABOUT THE REGARD FOR WHAT MOST OF US HAVE BEEN TAUGHT ALL OF OUR LIVES AND WHAT IS FOUNDATIONAL TO MOST OF US IN OUR VIEW OF OUR PLACE AS IT RELATE-S TO OUR FELLOW MAN.

TODD JONES PRESENTED THE BILL.

HE TOLD REPORTERS AFTER THE VOTE WHAT THE MEASURE IS DESIGNS TO DO.

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST, PARITY.

WE WILL TREAT MEN TAL ILLNESS THE SAME WE DO AS PHYSICAL ILLNESS AND MAKE SURE THAT THE MONEY IS SPENT ON PATIENT CARE AND NOT MEDICAL COSTS AND WE BUILD THE RIGHT WORKFORCE, BUILD IT AND RETAIN IT AND MAKE SURE THAT GEORGIA IS A GREAT PLACE TO BE.

>> I THINK IT TOUCHES MORE FAMILIES THAN WE CAN IMAGINE.

AND YOU HEARD SOME OF THE PEOPLE ELUDE TO THAT.

SO, I WANTED TO COME AND SAY THAT, THIS IS A GREAT PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

>> ONLY THREE REPRESENTATIVES VOTED AGAINST THE BILL.

>> IT'S THE KIND OF MEASURE THAT I THINK WILL MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF MANY, MANY GEORGIANS, AND IT WAS A TRANSFORMATIVE, HISTORIC MEASURE, WE WILL DELIVER ON OUR COMMITMENT TO HAVE A QUALITY MENTAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM HERE IN GEORGIA AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THIS BEING THE ONLY FIRST STEP ALONG THAT PATH.

>> TWO OTHER HEALTH BILLS THAT PASSED IN THE HOUSE, HB1304 AND 1042.

NOUP NOW, BOTH ARE DEALING WITH PRIMARY CARE, AND MEDICAL FACILITIES.

AND IN THE SENATE, SV393 PROHIBITS SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS FROM CENSORING SPEECH.

>> WE ARE RECOGNIZING WHAT WAS STATED IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA, THAT IT'S THE 21st CENT PUBLIC SQUARE.

AND THAT WHAT WE ARE STATING HERE IS THAT YOU CANNOT BE DISCRIMINATED FOR YOUR VIEWPOINT OR GENDER OR FOR YOUR AGE AND OTHER THINGS THAT WE WILL GET TO IN A SECOND IN THE 21st CENTURY PUBLIC SQUARE.

DEMOCRATS QUESTION THE NEED FOR THIS BILL, SINCE THERE'S ALREADY FEDERAL LAW THAT DEALS WITH SOME OF THESE ISSUES.

>> ISN'T IT TRUE THAT FEDERAL LAW COVERS IN AND BASICALLY, ISN'T IT TRUE, THAT BASICALLY WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IS ARE GOING TO OVERRULE FEDERAL LAW?

>> NO, SIR, FEDERAL LAW DOES NOT COVER, HE WILL WELL IT DOES COVER MY IN ABILITY TO EXPRESS MY VIEWPOINT, BUT WE HAVE SEEN SOCIAL MEDIA COMPIES VIOLATING THE EXPRESSION OF VIEW POINTS ONLINE.

>> I DO THINK IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND I THINK IT'S PRE-EMPTED BY FEDERAL LAW.

FROM A VERY SERIOUS PLACE, IT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

IT NEEDS TO BE REPEALED.

>> SENATOR ELAINE ASKED WHY SOCIAL MEDIA IS ANY DIFFERENT FROM DECLINING TO PRINT AN OP-ED.

>> FACEBOOK IS ARGUING IN COURT THAT THEY CAN CENSOR CONTENT UNDER 230 BECAUSE THEIR NOT PUBLISHERS.

SO FACEBOOK THEMSELVES ARE DRAWING A LINE BETWEEN THE RIGHT OF PUBLISHING AND THE LIABILITY, SAYING THEY ARE NOT A PUBLISHER, SO WE FALL UNDER 230 AND YOU CANNOT SUE US BECAUSE SOMEBODY POSTS LEWD MATERIAL BECAUSE OF 230.

BUT WE CAN MODERATE THE CONTENT IN THE WAY WE WISH BECAUSE WE HAVE A FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO DO SO.

THOSE TWO THINGS ARE CONFLICT WITH EACH OTHER.

>> THAT BILL PASSED 33-21.

NOW THE SENATE PASSED SB381 WHICH INCREASES MANDATORY PUNISHMENTS RELATED TO PIMPING AND PANDORING.

NOW, FOR YEARS THE SLOGAN FOR COKE WAS HAVE A COKE AND A SMILE.

BUT THERE WAS NO SMILS FOR THE SOFT DRINK GIANT.

>> A FEW YEARS AGO I TOOK UP FOR A SODA COMPANY THAT HAS A PLANT HERE.

THEY HAVE NO PROBLEM SPEAKING OUT ABOUT POLITICAL ISSUES.

HOWEVER, THEY HAVE REMAINED STRANGELY SILENT WHEN IT COMES TO THE ISSUE OF RUSSIA'S INVASION OF UKRAINE.

WE HAVE NOT HEARD A WORD FROM THEM.

>> COCA-COLA IS A POLITICALLY SAVY COMPANY.

THEY KNOW BETTER THAN THIS.

AND WHEN MANY OTHER COMPANIES HAVE WITHDRAWN AND PULLED OUT FROM DOING BUSINESS IN RUSSIA.

I'M IN A LOSS TO UNDERSTAND WHY, COCA-COLA, WHICH IS OUR CORPORATE CITIZEN HERE IN THIS CITY IS STILL OVER THERE TRYING TO MAKE MONEY UNDER THE, THE, THIS BLOOD TH IRSY REGIME GREAT.

BEFORE I GO, IT'S INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY, A DAY FOR EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN LIKE YOU, DONNA.

>> LIKE YOU, BRENDA.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, BRENDA.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE ARE GOING TO SPEND THE REST OF THE SHOW BREAKING DOWN THE MASS OF MENTAL HEALTH PARITY LEGISLATION THAT HOUSE SPEAKER RALSTON SAID IMPACTS EVERY FAMILY IN GEORGIA IN ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

RALSTON IS THE MAIN SPONSOR AND JOINING US ARE THE TWO LAWMAKERS HE CHOSE TO SHEPHERD THE BILL TO THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE.

MARY MARGARET ONLINE SER -- MARGARET OLIVER, AND THANK YOU FOR STAYING.

BEFORE I GET STARTED I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE SECTIONS OF THIS NEARLY 80 PAGE BILL AND WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT IT.

MENTAL HEALTH PARITY.

AND ALSO, WORKFORCE AND SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT.

FOCUSING ON THOSE WHO WORK IN MENTAL HEALTH AND VOLUNTARY COMMITMENT AND WHAT THAT MIGHT MEAN, COURTS AND CORRECTIONS BOTH CURRENTLY PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM AND THERE'S AN ELEMENT IN THE BILL THAT INVOLVES CHILD AND ADOLESENT BEHAVIORAL DEVELOPMENT ISSUES AND I WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THE SPEAKER RALSTON TALKED ABOUT TODAY, WITH BOTH OF YOU FIRST, AND HE TOUCHED ON IT AND HE TALKED ABOUT HOW IT TOUCHES EVERYONE PERSONALLY.

AND YOU BOTH HAVE BEEN REALLY, REALLY OPEN IN THE HEARINGS TALKING ABOUT HOW IT'S TOUCHED YOU PERSONALLY.

I LIKE YOU TO BRIEFLILY TALK ABOUT THAT.

AND YOUR WIFE, EVEN, CAME TO ONE OF THE HEARINGS AND SPOKE, IT REALLY TOUCHES YOUR FAMILY PERSONALLY.

IF YOU DON'T MIND TALKING ABOUT THAT.

NO, OF COURSE.

>> THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND CHAIRMAN OLIVER ANDPY HAVE SHEPHERDED THIS BILL ON BEHALF OF THE SPEAKER.

WE DECIDED AS A FAMILY, MY WIFE AND I, TRACY.

WHEN THE SPEAKER ASKED US TO DO THIS.

WE SAID, WE HAVE TO GO ALL SDMMPT ALL IN MEANT THAT WE FELT THERE NEEDED TO BE A COMBINATION OF GREAT POLICY AND WHY IT TOUCHES EVERY FAMILY AND WE HAD IN FACT BEEN TOUCHED.

I HAVE FOUR CHILDREN AND MY OLDEST SON, JUSTIN, HE IS, HE WAS SDIEGED ABOUT EIGHT YEARS WAGON SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS AND PSYCHOSIS FOR SIX YEARS AND RECENTLY CAME OUT OF IT.

WE HAD SUCH TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS, AND WE HAVE BEEN IN AND OUT OF TREATMENT, AS MY WIFE SAID, ABOUT FOUR TIMES A YEAR, THREE TIMES A YEAR, WE WERE GOING IN AND OUT OF HOSPITALS, OUT-PATIENT TREATMENT.

STEP DOWN FACILITIES, YOU NAME IT.

WE KNEW THE UNDER BELLY OF THE SYSTEM AND WE KNEW, I HATE TO SAY EVERYTHING THAT NEEDED TO BE FIXED, HOW ABOUT THIS, WE SAW ALL THE BAD.

WE DIDN'T SEE A LOT OF GOOD.

AND WE KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE SYSTEM WORKING HARD BUT WE KNOW THEY NEEDED HELP AND THAT'S WHY THE BILL WILL WORK FOR US.

>> I REALLY THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT ON A PERSONAL LEVEL AND TELLING US YOUR PERSONAL STORY.

I KNOW THAT WAS TOUGH.

YOUR WIFE WAS AMAZING TALKING ABOUT IT.

I THINK IT HELPS US UNDERSTAND WHERE WE FIT IN THE WHOLE ISSUE OF MENTAL HEALTH IN GEORGIA.

SO, YOU ALWAYS, YOU WORK AS A COURT CONSERVATOR.

>> I HAVE BEEN SERVING FOR THE MENTALLY ILL AND INCAPACITATED ADULTS.

I HAVE BEEN PART OF THE LIVES OF MANY, MANY INCAPACITATED ADULTS THAT CAN LIVE INDEPENDENTLY, A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY AND LOVING SUPPORT AND FAMILY, BUT THEY ARE STILL A LOVING FAMILY TO A MENTALLY ILL ADULT.

SOMETIMES THERE'S NO ONE THERE TO HELP A MENTALLY ILL ADULT AND A CASE WORKER.

A CASE WORKER.

VERY FEW MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE REALLY VIOLENT.

IT'S A SMALL PERCENTAGE THAT ARE ROINT VIOLENT OR COMMITTING CRIME.

MOST CAN BE SERVED ECONOMICALLY BETTER AND BETTER FOR THEIR SENSE OF PERSONAL FREEDOM IN A REAL LIFE INDEPENDENTLY, AND I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THOSE LIVES.

MENTAL ILLNESS IS PERSONAL TO EVERYONE.

THE NUMBER OF SUICIDE FUNERALS THAT I HAVE GONE TO IN RECENT YEARS.

I DON'T NEED PROVE THAT IT'S GOING UP AND THERE'S TRAUMA IN OUR SOCIETY.

I WAS IN A SUICIDE FUNERAL LAST MONTH, TOTALLY SUCCESSFUL PROFESSIONAL, TOP OF HIS LIFE.

AND BEAUTIFUL FAMILY, LOVELY SUCCESSFUL CHILDREN.

AND COMMITTED SUICIDE.

THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT I THINK EVERY MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS EXPERIENCING FROM THE CONSTITUENTS.

WE KNOW THAT THE PANDEMIC HAS EXTRA TRAUMA AND EXTRA INJURY PARTICULARLY TO CHILDREN.

>> YEAH, AND IT HELPED US UNDERSTAND IT MORE AND I THINK IT'S HELPED TO TAKE AWAY THE STIGMA THAT HELPED AS YOU HAVE GONE THROUGH ALL OF THIS WITH THE BILL.

AND REPRESENTATIVE JONES.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE MAJOR LIFT AND THAT HAS TO DO WITH PARITY.

WHICH WE ARE REQUIRING INSURERS TO PAY THE MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN THE SAME WAY.

EXPLAIN IT TO US.

>> THE WAY WE TALK ABOUT IT, COMES DOWN TO PHYSICAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH IS EQUAL.

WE DON'T SAY TO A CANCER PATIENT, YOU CAN ONLY SEE YOUR ONCOLOGIST 12 TIMES A YEAR.

WE DON'T SAY, YOU ARE IN STAGE THREE CANCER AND WE WILL STOP AT ROUND 2 INSTEAD OF GOING TO ROUND THREE.

WE HAVE TO STOP IT IF YOU NEED TO SEE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL 24 TIMES YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO IT.

IF YOU NEED THREE OR FOUR CYCLES YOU SHOULD DO.

THAT THE BILL GOES FURTHER IN TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND TALKS ABOUT HOW TO ADDRESS IT WITHOUT THE LIMITATIONS.

SO, THAT IS WHAT PARITY IS ABOUT.

IT'S ABOUT MAKING PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH.

>> AND MAKE SURE THAT INSURERS UNDERSTAND IT AND IT'S WHEN PEOPLE FEEL FRUSTRATED BY THE MANY IS WHEN THEY HAVE TO TRY TO PAY FOR THE THINGS.

>> AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE BILL COVERS PRIVATE AND PUBLIC AND REQUIRE AS REPORT EACH YEAR.

WE WILL SEE THE OFFICE OF THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER BE ABLE TO GIVE US THAT TYPE OF INFORMATION.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE WORKFORCE AND SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT PIECE OF THIS.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO WORK IN MENTAL HEALTH.

AN IMPORTANT PIECE, RIGHT?

>> WE ARE EXPANDING THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE EDUCATION LOEPS CANCELLED FOR CERTAINLY TREATMENT PROFESSIONALS.

IN THE RURAL AREAS AND URBAN UNDER SERVED AREAS WE NEED PERSONNEL THAT REQUEST PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

THERE'S A WIDE VARIETY OF FOLKS THAT HAVE LICENSES AND ARE COMPETENT TO DO IT.

WE BELIEVE THAT THE BENEFIT OF HAVING A LOAN CANDLE, EDUCATION LOAN CANCELLED IF SOMEONE IS WILLING TO GO TO AN UNDER SERVED AREA AND WILLING TO TREAT FOLKS THAT ARE NOT INSURED, IS WILLING TO ACCEPT MEDICARE AND MEDICAID, AND PUBLIC BENEFITS THAT IT WILL EXPAND THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO GET HELP WHERE THEY NEED TO GET HELP.

>> YEAH, GOOD TO KNOW AND BEFORE WE GO ANY FURTHER .

I WANT TO MENTION THE MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION.

IT WAS COMPRISED BY A VARIETY OF PEOPLE, AND SOME OF THEM SPOKE AT THE HEARING.

HERE IS WHAT JUST SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE BRIAN AMARO OF THE FLINT CIRCUIT HAD TO SAY.

>> JUDGES ARE NOT DOCTORS AND JAILS ARE NOT HOSPITALS.

THIS PACKAGE WILL REDUCE HOSPITALIZATION, REDUCE ARRESTS, REDUCE INCARCERATION, AND PROVIDE MORE SUPPORT FOR SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS.

A VERY IMPORTANT PIECE OF IT AND THAT GETS IN, A BIT IN TO THIS WHOLE INVOLUNTARILY TERRY COMMITMENT ISSUE.

WHAT CHANGES WITH THE BILL.

FIRST, SOME PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT INVOLUNTARILY TERRY COMMITMENT MEANS.

>> WE HAVE CIVIL LIBERTIES.

WE CANNOT BE DETAINED WITHOUT A PROCESS OF A COURT ORDER.

PEOPLE IN WHO MENTALLY ILL, VISIBLY IN THE PUBLIC, IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY ARE HARMING THEMSELVES.

ARE HARMING THEMSELVES.

THREATENING TO HARM THEMSELVES.

WE HAVE A OBLIGATION TO TAKE THEM IN FOR A MINIMUM OF 48 HOURS FOR PURPOSE OF EVALUATION.

THERE'S A NATIONAL CONVERSATION GOING ON BASED ON CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPAL, OF WHAT IS THE STANDARD OF TAKING SNB TO CUSTODY FOR 48 HOURS?

>> IF THE WORD NOW, IS IMMINENT HARM AND DANGER TO THEMSELVES.

AND WE ARE BASED ON NATIONAL CONVERSATIONS AND NEW CASE LAW STANDARDS CHANGING THAT TO SAY, STILL SERIOUS HARM TO ONE ANOTHER, TO THEMSELVES, TO SOMEBODY ELSE, SERIOUS THREAT.

BUT WITH A REASONABLE EXPECTATION THAT THAT HARM IS GOING TO CONTINUE UNLESS THEY ARE TAKEN IN TO CUSTODY.

THEY ARE NONCOMPLAINT, THEY ARE REFUSING TREATMENT.

THEY ARE ACTING IN A WAY THAT IS HARMING THEMSELVES, BUT THE WORD IMMINENT IS GOING TO BE REMOVED FROM THE STATUTE.

I USES THE EXAMPLE OF THE HOMELESS GUY WHO IS NOT DRESSED FOR COLD WEATHER, IN THE OPEN, IT'S 26 DEGREES AND HE IS GOING ASLEEP ON THE BENCH WITHOUT A BLANKET, IS HE IN IMMINENT HARM, OR DOES IT HAVE TO BE 20 DEGREES OR IF IT'S 45 DEGREES IS HE FINE?

WE HAVE A REASONABLE STANDARD FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, PRIMARILY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WE HAVE PART OF THE BILL, NEW OPPORTUNITIES WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CORESPONDERS TO MAKE A PROPER EVALUATION.

WHAT IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHERE A PERSON WILL NOT BE COMPLAINT AND WILL NOT SUBMIT TO TREATMENT WHERE WE HAVE A LEGAL AUTHORITY TO TAKE THEM IN TO CUSTODY FOR 48 HOURS.

>> JUST CHANGING THE LANGUAGE MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.

SO MUCH TO COVER AND WE ARE JUST SCRATCHING THE SURFACE, WE WILL KEEP YOU AROUND HERE, PAUSE FOR A BREAK, AND WHEN WE COME BACK, THE GUESTS WILL TAKE A LOOK AT THE LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE TEAMS, DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT AND HELP FOR ADOLESENTS WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

YOU ARE WATCHING "LAWMAKERS" ON GPB, .

>>> WELCOME BACK TO LAWMAKERS.

REPRESENTATIVES TODD JONES AND MARY MARGARET OLIVER ARE HERE TO HELP US BREAK DOWN THE LAW THAT PASSED TODAY, 169-3, I WANT TO HEAR FROM THE POLICE CHIEF FROM THE CITY OF LAGRANGE.

LET'S HEAR WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

>> RIGHT NOW, POLICE RESPOND AND OFTEN TIMES HAVE TO COAX AN INDIVIDUAL IN TO THE AMBULANCE OR WAIT UNTIL THERE'S AN ACT OF VIOLENCE OR DISORDER OR PROPERTY DESTRUCTION BEFORE THEY CAN TAKE THEM IN TO CUSTODY.

>> SO, THE IDEA THAT COMMITTING A FELONY IS AS A MEANS FOR A PERSON TO GET HELP IS SHOCKING PERSONALLY, BUT YOU HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH IT PERSONALLY THE OFFICERS, THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHIS -- ANYTHING UNLESS THEY COMMIT A FELONY?

>> YEAH, THEY HAVE TO WITNESS IT.

>> WITNESS IT.

>> YEAH, IN TERMS OF BRINGING THEM IN.

MY SON, HE IS OVER 18.

HE IS IN THE TREATMENT FACILITY.

HE IS NOT TECHNICALLY UNDER ARREST, SO HE WAS ALLOWED TO AMA, LEAVE AGAINST MEDICAL ADVICE.

HE LEAVES, WE IMMEDIATELY KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, HE IS TO -- HE IS GOING OFF HIS MEDS AND IT'S GOING TO BE A DOWNWARD SPIRAL.

AND WE CALLED SOMEBODY AND I SAID, WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?

AND THEY SAID, YOU HAVE TO GET HIM TO COMMIT A FELONY.

THAT'S THE ONLY WAY TO GET HIM REAL HELP.

WE CAN GET HIM WHERE HE NEEDS TO GET, AND WE CAN MEET THE LONG-TERM NEEDS.

THE PATHWAY TO LONG-TERM RESIDENTIAL HEALTH IS THROUGH THE LAW SYSTEM.

SO WITH OUR BILL, KNOCK WOOD, WE GET IT THROUGHOUT THE SENATE, YOU WILL SEE A PATH THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE THAT YOU HAVE TO COMMIT A FELONY TO GET THE HELP THAT YOU NEED.

>> THAT IS WHAT THE BILL CALLS FOR, TAKING THE ELEMENT OUT OF IT.

>> PLEASE DON'T BE A CRIMINAL.

WE WILL FOCUS ON WELLNESS INSTEAD OF THE CHRONIC ISSUE.

>> IT'S SHOCKING TO THINK IT'S PART OF IT.

I WANT TO KEEP ONGOING.

REPRESENTATIVE OLIVER, I WANT TO CONTINUE WHERE WE LEFT OFF AND TALK ABOUT THE IDEA OF TRYING TO KEEP THE MEANT ALY ILL OUT OF JAIL.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT THE BILL OFFERS IN TERMS OF THAT?

WE JUST MENTIONED HOW IT'S A MAJOR PART OF THE POPULATION.

IN JAIL.

>> THE CYCLING THROUGH EMERGENCY ROOMS AND JAILS IS CLOGGING UP THE SYSTEM, IT'S TAKING LAW ENFORCEMENT AWAY FROM MORE PERHAPS RELEVANT JOBS TO SOME OF US.

OUR EVALUATION AND OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE SOME MONEY, SOME SOURCE OF FUNDS FOR CO-RESPONDER PROGRAMS THAT ARE POPPING UP ALL OVER THE COUNTY HAS A CO-RESPONDER PROGRAM.

THAT MEANS THE POLICE GO OUT WITH A TRAINED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL.

IN MY DISTRICT, CITY OF BROOK HAVEN IS EXPERIMENTING.

ACROSS GEORGIA, AND THIS COMES OUT OF THE MENTAL HEALTH COURT AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM SYSTEM AND IT COMES OUT OF THE COMMISSION FOR BEHAVIORIAL REFORM THAT I HAVE BEEN ON.

WE NEED TO HAVE DIFFERENT MODELS OF DEALING WITH PEOPLE IN THE PUBLIC OR IN THEIR HOME, WHO ARE VIOLENT AND IN A PSYCHOTIC STATE WITHOUT TAKING THEM TO JAIL.

WE ARE DEVELOPING OVER GEORGIA AND HAVE TO DO IT IN A GREATER PACE.

CRISIS UNITS.

WHERE CAN YOU TAKE SOMEBODY WHO WILL BE, WHO IS IN CRISIS, AND HAVE THEM THERE, A NUMBER, THREE, FIVE, TEN DAYS.

WE HAVE ABOUT TEN CRISIS UNITS ACROSS GEORGIA, WE HAVE TO HAVE MORE EXPANSION.

CRISIS DETENTION FOR FOLKS WHERE ARE A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME YOU CAN BE STABILIZED AND BE MORE STABLE TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR THEMSELVES.

OUR SYSTEM HAS TO CHANGE HOUSE BILL 1013 WILL HELP THE CHANGE COME ABOUT.

>> I LVE THAT AND LET'S TALK ABOUT HB1013.

THE FACT THINK IT'S CALLED 1013 IN MENTAL HEALTH CIRCLES THAT MEANS SOMETHING.

>> IT'S A VERB, NOUN AND ADJECTIVE, WHEN SOMEONE SAYS THEY NEED A 1013, THAT MEANS THEY NEED A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL TO ASSESSES AND IF THE ASSESSMENT IS SUCH THAT THEY ARE A DANGER TO THEMSELVES OR SOCIETY, THEY ARE GOING TO BE INVOLUNTARILY HELD.

>> I SPOKE EARLIER TO REPRESENTATIVE SHELLY HUTCHISON, WHO IS A LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER.

SHE IS HAPPY ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH BILL AND WISHES THAT IT DEALT WITH TRANSPORTING PEOPLE WHO HAVING A EMERGENCY.

>> IF I HAVE TO 1013 SOMEBODY, IF THEY ARE VIOLENT, WHICH THE ONLY WAY I CAN DO IT IS IF THEY ARE HOMICIDAL, OR SUICIDAL.

IF THEY ARE VIOLENT, IT'S NOT SAFE TO GET THEM IN THE CAR.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE OKAY TO GET THEM IN A AMBULANCE, THE AMBULANCE PERSONNEL IS NOT EQUIPPED.

WHO DOES THE TRANSPORT?

RIGHT NOW, WE ARE RELYING ON LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> THE TRANSPORTATION PIECE IS SOMETHING THAT YOU CANNOT GET IN THE BILL.

>> THERE'S A VARIETY OF WAYS TO DEAL WITH THE TRANSPORT ISSUE.

IT'S BEEN A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE DISCUSSION.

THE SHERIFFS FEEL BURDENED.

THEY ARE STATITORILY REQUIRED TO DO THE TRANSPORT, IF A PERSON IS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT TAKEN TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM AND CRISIS CENTER AND THERE'S A TREATMENT ISSUED AFTERWARDS, IS THE LAW ENFORCEMENT THE BEST TRANSPORT?

THESE ARE ARISING BASED ON LOCAL LEADERSHIP AND NEEDS.

A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS THAT ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED, HOSPITALS AND ERs AND CRISIS UNITS ARE DEVELOPING DIFFERENT WAYS FOR FOLKS WHO ARE VIOLENT AND BEEN STABILIZED.

IT'S A SIGNIFICANT PART OF A BILL.

SUBSEQUENT TRANSPORTS ARE LAW ENFORCEMENT REQUIRED TO DO.

WE PUT IN A BILL OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUNDING AND TRANSPORT OPPORTUNITIES BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR, SPECIALIZED AMBULANCE UNITS AND WE ALSO ARE DEVELOPING THROUGH THE CO-RESPONDER PROGRAM AND THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, DIFFERENT WAYS THAT WE MOVE PEOPLE FROM A PSYCHOTIC STATE TO A MORE EFFECTIVE AND COORDINATED SITUATION.

>> THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS.

IT'S MASSIVE.

BUT THERE'S MORE TO DO.

REPRESENTATIVE JONES.

THE BILL PASSED, 169-3.

>> YEP.

>> AND I HAVE TO SAY OF THOSE THAT VOTED AGAINST IT, ONE OF THEM IS THE REPRESENTATIVE, HE IS WORRIED ABOUT THE INCREASE IN HEALTH COSTS THAT COULD HAPPEN.

DO YOU THINK, EXPLAIN HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT IT.

>> SURE, WHEN YOU LOOK WHAT OTHER STATES HAVE DONE, IN TERMS OF THEM BRINGING IN PARITY AND LMR REQUIREMENTS.

IT'S A MEDICAL LOSS RATIO, WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS MAY SEE A BIT OF A BUMP UP INITIALLY.

HOWEVER, ONCE THE INSURANCE COMPANIES IN THE CARE BECOMES COORDINATED AS CHAIRMAN OLIVER MENTIONED YOU WILL SEE A FOCUS ON WELLNESS AND THE FRONT OF THE FUNNEL INSTEAD OF THE CHRONIC END.

THAT DECREASES THE COST TO THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES.

HENCE, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THE INSURANCE RATES START TO NORMALIZE AND GET BACK TO WHERE WE WERE IN 2022, WE DON'T EXPECT A BIG JUMP.

>> THERE'S SO MUCH OF THIS, WE ARE BASICALLY SCRATCHING THE SURFACE.

I WANT TO GET TO SOMETHING SO PEOPLE UNDERSTAND HOW BAD THE PROBLEM AND GEORGIA RANKING AT THE BOTTOM, NEAR THE BOTTOM OF 50 STATES IN MENTAL HEALTH.

STATISTICS SHOW THAT IN 78 OF GEORGIA'S COUNTIES, THERE'S NO, THERE'S NO LICENSED PSYCHOLOGYIST.

THERE'S NO, IN 53 COUNTIES THERE'S NO LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER.

IN 45 COUNTIES, THERE'S NO LICENSED PSYCHOLOGYIST OR SOCIAL WORKER.

IT'S A MAJOR PROBLEM.

YOU KNOW, DO YOU FEEL THAT THIS BILL IS AT LEAST CRACKING THAT A LITTLE BIT?

>> I THINK WE ARE GOING TO MAKE PROGRESS WITH THE BILL.

I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT PROGRESS IS ON THE WAY.

WORKFORCE ISSUES ARE IMPORTANT IN EVERY INDUSTRY, AND THEY ARE IMPORTANT IN THE MEDICAL FIELD, AND IN THE PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES AND A VARIETY OF NEW MENTALLY HEALTH SPECIALISTS.

WE ARE TRAINING AND LICENSING AND SUPERVISING FORGIVING THEIR EDUCATION LOANS WHERE APPROPRIATE.

I THINK WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS.

>> THE BIG THING IS TAKE IT TO THE SENATE NOW.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT IT?

>> I FEEL GOOD.

>> VERY GOOD.

>> I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR COMING ON ON -- ON THE SHOW.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW AND GET TO TALK TO YOU MORE ON LEGISLATIVE DAY 26.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.