HELP GET CO-AUTHORS FOR AB1800

Assemblywoman Thomson and Senator Perata are accepting co-authors for AB1800, the LPS Reform Bill.

We all know how crucial this measure is. We must first pass the Assembly, so your first step should be to contact your Assemblymember and try to persuade him or her to back AB1800,

Below is the memorandum requesting co-authors that the sponsors of LPS reform sent out to their fellow legislators. Following that are some tips on how to effectively contact and influence your legislative representatives. We think you will be surprised at how easy it is to get the ear of your district’s legislators. And remember that when you speak, you speak for all of us.

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MEMORANDUM
January 7, 2000

TO: Members of the Legislature
FROM: Assemblywoman Helen Thomson and Senator Don Perata
RE: Update and Co-author request: Lanterman-Petris-Short Act Reform 

Attached is a copy of the LPS reform proposal we will be introducing to update the 1967 LPS Act to be more responsive to the needs of the severely mentally ill.

After careful review of proposals for LPS reform, statutes in other states, and feedback from individual "LPS public forums" in counties across the state, we are proposing a voluntary, fully funded 6-month assisted outpatient treatment program to provide an outpatient option for qualified individuals who would otherwise be treated in a locked facility. We also more specifically expanded the legal definition of "grave disability" to enable more timely intervention for one who has a "prior history of mental illness and again presents clear evidence of a recurrence that poses a serious risk of substantial deterioration that is likely to result in serious harm to the person in the absence of treatment."

Major newspapers across the state have already endorsed this proposal. I have attached copies of those editorials for your review.

It’s time to make the law work for anyone with severely mental illness, whether rich or poor, homeless or decompensating in the back bedroom of their parents’ house, who are unable to make healthy treatment choices because of their lack of insight into their illness.

I urge you to join us in co-authoring this bill.

I wish to co-author AB 1800 to provide LPS reform for the severely mentally ill. (Return to Room 4140 or FAX to 916-319-2108)

___________________________             ___________________________
Signed                                             Printed

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Meeting with Legislators

A personal visit to explain the importance of reforming LPS is the most effective means of communicating with a legislator. Your first appointment should be with your Assemblymember. AB1800 originated in the Assembly and will first have to pass that house. Your next visit should be with your Senator, but remember that the Assembly is our first objective.

These visits should allow you to "read" your representative’s reaction to your request to support LPS reform. After your visit, please email Carla Jacobs with a brief description of what you learned. Be sure to follow your visit with a "thank you" letter and, perhaps, some more materials on the need to provide care for those who suffer most from mental illness. In the letter reiterate your hope that he/she will support this vital, life-saving legislation.

Most legislators are in their home offices on Fridays so this is the best day to make an appointment in which you will have a chance to meet personally with your representative.

Legislative staff may ask how long you think you will need to discuss the issue. In that case, request a half-hour. Remember: we are competing with many others for each legislator’s time so we must be considerate. In some cases, a member of your representative’s legislative staff will tell you how much time you may have. Always take what you can get but be prepared to be succinct.

If your visit ends up being with the legislator’s staff person, be as pleased as if you visited with the legislator himself. The staff member will make sure that your concerns are conveyed to the legislator. Again, follow up with a personal letter to the legislator thanking him for making his staff available to hear you. Copy the staff person on the letter.

The following guidelines will help make your visit a productive one.

Introduce yourself. Give your name, address, and the organization you represent or with which your are affiliated, if that be the case. Do not overdo your comments about the worthiness (or clout) of your organization. That is not why you are there. Even if you think it obvious, make sure to mention that you have come to the assemblymember because he/she is your representative.

Remain Focused. Although you probably gave a reason for your visit with him/her when you scheduled your appointment, make sure it is clear that you are visiting on AB1800. Discuss only one issue-LPS reform (unless the legislator asks your opinion on something else)

Explain Why You Support AB1800. You may use either objective information or personal anecdotes-or both. This means you should take and use fact sheets about the need for AB1800 or share a personal story as to how the current LPS Act prevented you or someone you love from receiving timely treatment. If you are visiting with another person(s) make sure your time is well spent by not repeating each other. Decide in advance of the visit who will say what. One person could present the objective need for reform and the other the personal story, for example. It is particularly helpful if you can relate how the new criteria or the provision for outpatient commitment (called Community Assisted Outpatient Treatment in AB1800) would have prevented the problems you and those close to you have faced.

Allow Time for Questions and be prepared to respond. Never bluff. If you do not know the answer, say so. Then follow-up with the answer in your letter or a phone call to the staff person. You can put the question to either Randall or Carla by email if you have trouble finding the answer.

Ask the Legislator Whether or Not He/She Will Support the Bill. Although you may be hesitant to do this, you need to do so to determine whether your representative supports the bill. Tell those in favor of AB1800 how much you appreciate their stand. Opponents need to know that, although you disagree with them, you respect their position. Perhaps later you or others will be able to provide him/her with additional information which will help change the legislator’s mind. For those who won’t give their position, ask whether you can provide more materials that will help them make a decision. Whatever you do, don’t burn bridges. Today’s supporter may be next week’s opponent and vice versa. Convey your take on your legislator’s position to Carla Jacobs.

Conclude and Extend Your Appreciation for the opportunity to visit, no matter what the outcome of the visit. Leave on friendly terms.

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California Treatment Advocacy Coalition
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