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Committee advances measure to let tribal facilities be used for initial mental-health evaluations
Summary
RS 33023 would amend Idaho’s involuntary commitment statute to allow tribal health care facilities to house individuals for initial evaluation and to include tribal police officers in the definition of "peace officer." The committee voted to send the draft to print.
Senator Harris introduced RS 33023 and said the draft would amend Idaho's involuntary commitment statute to include tribal health care facilities as acceptable sites for holding individuals a peace officer or medical staff believe pose a grave threat to themselves or others due to mental illness. The bill also states that, for the statute's purposes, the definition of "peace officer" includes tribal police officers.
According to the minutes, the change was intended to address concerns from tribes about coordination with counties and timely completion of initial evaluations for tribal members experiencing crises on reservations. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare was consulted and the committee recorded no change to the legal proceedings under current law; the minutes also note no fiscal impact at the state or local level. Senator Shippy moved to send the RS to print and Senator Wintrow seconded; the motion carried by voice vote.
