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The Michigan House has approved a bill allowing judges to order outpatient treatment for those confirmed to be mentally ill.
Current law allows this but only after a crime was committed by the patient. This bill allows a judge’s order before a crime or violent incident occurs.
Referred to as Kevin’s law, the bill is sponsored by Michigan House Republican Tom Leonard of DeWitt Township and is backed by Michigan Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley.
The bill, which now goes to the Michigan Senate, would allow a friend or family member to petition the court to require the treatment.
The goal is to stop a serious crime before it happens.
Kevin’s law is named after Kevin Heisinger, who was beaten to death in Kalamazoo by a man with schizophrenia who stopped taking his medication.
Leonard says there are safeguards in the bill to protect individual rights.
