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KEVIN'S LAW TAKES EFFECT Effective March 30, 2005, Kevin’s Law allows judges to order outpatient treatment for people with untreated severe mental illnesses who meet specific criteria, including a recent history of hospitalizations, incarcerations, or behavior dangerous to themselves or others because of their illness.
RESOURCE To learn more, check out the Oakland County, Michigan FAQs about Assisted Outpatient Treatment - or download their brochure "Kevin's Law: What you need to know."
Kevin's law - SB 683, SB 684, SB 685, and SB 686
| "Until today,
families had to wait until their loved ones made a threat or actually hurt someone before
they could get help, and then the only option was inpatient care. Now people can be helped
earlier, and on an outpatient basis. If the treatment is successful, the person never
needs to reach a crisis point and hospitalization may be altogether averted." -Sen. Tom George, cosponsor of Michigan's Kevin's Law |
MICHIGAN'S KEVIN'S LAW TAKES EFFECT Effective March 30, 2005, Kevin’s Law allows judges to order outpatient treatment for people with untreated severe mental illnesses who meet specific criteria, including a recent history of hospitalizations, incarcerations, or behavior dangerous to themselves or others because of their illness. The package of four bills known as Kevin’s Law was championed by Sens. Tom George (R, 20th District) and Virg Bernero (D, 23rd District) and signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm in December. Forty-two (42) states allow the use of this effective treatment mechanism, known as assisted outpatient treatment (AOT).
| "I
want to thank you, and all of those who helped to pass this law that would help to prevent
others from passing through the same kind of experience, whether as victims of violence or
mental illnesses. Kevin was one of the kindest and most selfless people I’ve ever
known. I believe that Kevin would have forgiven Brian, and would also be heartened to know
that something good has come from his tragedy." - Kelly Scaletta, Michigan |
New Michigan Law - Gov. Jennifer Granholm significantly reformed Michigan’s mental illness treatment law by signing Kevin’s Law (SB 683-86). Cosponsors Sens. Tom George (R, 20th District) and Virg Bernero (D, 23rd District) battled together for three years to give Michigan a way to better help those who refuse treatment because of incapacitating symptoms of illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Effective immediately, Kevin’s Law allows a judge to order outpatient treatment for someone with an untreated severe mental illness who meets specific criteria, including a recent history of hospitalizations or behavior dangerous to themselves or others. The progressive measure is named for Kevin Heisinger, who was beaten to death in a Kalamazoo bus station in August 2000 by Brian Williams, a man who had untreated schizophrenia. Williams’ illness caused him to cycle in and out of institutions and the criminal justice system for years. When he was in treatment, he was functional, but his condition would deteriorate when he would stop taking medication. Read the press release and find out more about the new law.
Governor Granholm Signs Kevin's Law - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed legislation that will improve care for Michigan citizens with severe mental illness. The new law will allow courts to order treatment for individuals with serious mental illness who do not meet the current criteria for involuntary hospitalization but who need outpatient mental health treatment to protect themselves and others. Read more...| "There are too many people with serious mental illness whom we have not been helping, and Kevin's Law can change that," agreed Mark Reinstein, President and CEO of the Mental Health Association in Michigan (Southfield) and a member of the Governor's Mental Health Commission. "We are worried about people who are homeless and living under a bridge, who would never choose that lifestyle if their brain disorder was being treated. They merit our intervention." |
PREVENTABLE TRAGEDIES The Preventable Tragedies database includes summaries of news articles of which an individual with a neurobiological brain disorder (usually untreated) is involved in a violent episode, either as a victim or perpetrator. Search for Michigan episodes by choosing MI in the drop down box.
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PRESS KIT Kevin's Law - On Aug. 17, 2000, Kevin Heisinger, 24, was beat to death by Brian Williams, a 40-year-old diagnosed with schizophrenia. To honor Heisinger's memory, his family and Sen. Tom George, R-Texas Township, and Sen. Virg Bernero, D-Lansing, are working to pass "Kevin's Law," which would permit court-ordered outpatient treatment for mentally ill people who are least able to help themselves or most likely to present a risk to others. Michigan legislators and Kevin's family announced their intention to introduce "Kevin's Law" August 17, 2001, on the one-year anniversary of Kevin's death. At the time, both Sen. George and Sen. Bernero were in the Michigan House. Now in the Senate, they reintroduced the measure August 13, 2003, as Senate Bills 683 - 686.
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