Anthony Forgione Act heads to governor's desk

Earlier this week, the Florida Legislature passed a major reform of the state’s Baker Act, which deals with the commitment and institutionalization of mental patients.

The Deputy Anthony Forgione Act was named in honor of the Okaloosa peace officer slain (July 22, 2008) by a patient who repeatedly walked away from Fort Walton Beach Hospital while awaiting evaluation and treatment.  Senator Don Gaetz, sponsor of the legislation, said that Forgione’s bravery and service will be remembered in law as long as the State of Florida exists. 

The legislation requires treatment facilities and law enforcement agencies to work together to create guidelines on how to manage Baker Act patients to avoid “elopements” or escapes.  The bill also provides that law enforcement can transfer custody of a patient only to a responsible individual at a hospital or treatment center.  Once a confinement is ordered by a court, the new law will allow physicians to begin psychiatric treatment if the person is determined by medical authorities to be a danger to himself or others.  To make evaluations more timely, the act provides that one of the two medical evaluations necessary for involuntary confinement can be through interactive telemedicine.

Representative Brad Drake (R-DeFuniak Springs) is the House sponsor of the bill, which now awaits signature by Governor Charlie Crist. 

“Deputy Forgione dedicated his life to protecting our community.  He died tragically but, to the very end, brought honor to his badge,” Drake said. 

“At a time when Northwest Florida is stunned with grief again due to the shooting death of two other officers, we honor the women and men in our law enforcement community who place themselves in harm’s way for the safety of the public,” Gaetz and Drake noted.  “Our laws and protocols and procedures should offer law enforcement officers every reasonable protection.  That’s what the Anthony Forgione Act seeks to accomplish.”