A new California law will expand the state’s ability to force residents who are suffering from severe mental illness and addiction issues to get treatment.
Senate Bill 43, signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) Tuesday, expands the definition of “gravely ill” to include people unable to provide basic needs to themselves due to untreated mental illness or unhealthy substance use disorders. Those individuals will not be eligible for conservatorship, effectively forcing them into mental health treatment.