A bill that expands which medical professionals can authorize an involuntary civil commitment of a potentially dangerous person passed a committee on Thursday with an 8-3 vote.
Advocates said the bill would allow more medical professionals to fill the gap during a mental health crisis.
Currently, police officers, licensed physicians and designated examiners have the power to authorize a civil commitment of an individual for“We’re not talking about expanding the ability to commit somebody civilly. What we’re talking about is allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to fill that gap,” Lyman said.
Under the bill, if an individual is involuntarily committed and no longer poses a danger to themselves or the public, a local mental health authority or designee is expected to release the patient. One West Valley City resident, Martin King, said the bill threatens to take away his “sovereign rights.”
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