Jindal targets state's mental-health crisis- March 27, 2008
The Daily Advertiser
EDITORIAL
Gov. Bobby Jindal will push for legislation that would give judges the authority to mandate treatment for potentially violent patients suffering from mental illness. The involuntary treatment bill has been labeled "Nicola's Law." It was prompted by the shooting of New Orleans police officer Nicola Cotton, allegedly by Bernel Johnson, who has reportedly been in and out of mental institutions his entire adult life. A sister says he stopped taking his medication when he was not in an institution.
The legislative package unveiled by Jindal includes other measures along with involuntary treatment.
State judges would be given the authority to require that certain patients comply with prescribed treatment, take their medication, go to therapy and obtain substance-abuse counseling. Judges also could require patients to undergo blood testing to ensure medicines are being taken.
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