Health and Welfare panel introduces interim study of involuntary commitment procedures

The Idaho House Health and Welfare Committee introduced RS 32,225, a resolution to establish an interim study of the state's involuntary commitment procedures during its meeting.

Representative Laurie McCann, who represents District 6 (parts of Nez Perce County and all of Latah and Lewis counties), said several county prosecuting attorneys asked for a coordinated review because multiple sections and titles in the state code have created confusion in custody, care and treatment of people with mental illnesses. "They have asked me if we could set up an interim committee to study all of the different areas and try to bring them all together and make this a smoother, simpler process," McCann said.

McCann told the committee that prosecuting attorneys in her area and elsewhere have found the current system challenging. In response to a question from Representative Kaler about how many prosecutors had raised concerns, McCann said "three in my district, well, actually more than three," and that prosecutors around the state have experienced similar difficulties.

Representative Redmond moved to introduce RS 32,225. The motion was approved by voice vote; the chair voted aye and the resolution was introduced. The resolution as introduced states the problem and asks the committee to undertake a study; no final recommendations or statutory text were adopted at the meeting.

The resolution will proceed to a full hearing if the committee schedules it; McCann told members she was "happy to answer questions" and invited further discussion at that hearing.

The committee recorded this as an introduction only; no binding changes to statutes or emergency orders were made at the session.