The Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), a non-profit mental health watchdog dedicated to the eradication of abuses committed under the guise of mental health, regularly hosts a seminar on the Florida mental health law, commonly referred to as the [Baker Act] (http://www.cchrflorida.org/baker-act-rights/), for the purpose of educating the public on their rights and how they can protect themselves and their loved ones from the abusive use of this law.
In the 15 years from Fiscal Year (FY) 2001/2002 to 2015/2016 the number of involuntary psychiatric examinations in Florida more than doubled with 194,354 Baker Acts initiated. Even more disturbing is that statewide involuntary examinations for children increased 49.30% from FY 2010/2011 to 2015/2016. [1]
The alarming increase in the number of involuntary psychiatric examinations and the fact that one in six Baker Acts were initiated on children during FY 2015/2016 prompted CCHR to launch a public information campaign to educate Floridians on their rights under this law. As part of this campaign, CCHR hosts a seminar delivered by attorney Carmen Miller who, as a former Assistant Public Defender in the Thirteenth Circuit in Tampa, has a great deal of experience on the mental health law. Now in the private sector, Ms. Miller specializes in cases of those who have been Baker Acted.
Most people are not aware that ones child can be taken right out of school and [Baker Acted](http://www.cchrflorida.org/question-and-answers-about-the-florida-involuntary-commitment-law-the-baker-act/), without knowledge or consent from the parents, said Mrs. Miller, People need to know their rights so they can protect themselves and their loved ones.
While the original stated intention of the Baker Act was to protect the rights of citizens sent for involuntary psychiatric examination, it has become a source of great abuse.
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