County to consider existing mental health process against Laura's Law

SAN DIEGO – At the urging of supervisors Dianne Jacob and Dave Roberts, the county’s top elected officials voted March 19 to study Laura’s Law as they look for additional ways to help the severely mentally ill.

The Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed to weigh the law, which allows for involuntary outpatient treatment for the mentally ill who resist help, against the county’s current voluntary approach.

The county’s In Home Outreach Team program, or IHOT, provides voluntary home outreach to adults who have previously refused services. Other county-run behavioral programs include a psy...