News
What are Parental Rights in Florida?
The interest of parents in the care, custody, and control of their children is recognized as a fundamental liberty. A list of “Parental Rights” has been compiled using existing rights understood to be guaranteed to a parent so that all parents can easily know and...
Mental Health Watchdog Reaches Over 100,000 in Campaign to Protect Parental Rights
Last month the Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Florida (CCHR), launched a revised website and a campaign designed to help parents understand some of their rights. While parental rights have historically been viewed as fundamental, an erosion of these rights has...
Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week Sheds Light on Dangerous Psychiatric Drug Side Effects
In 2019 the Florida legislature adopted a resolution recognizing the first week in May every year as “Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week”. Tardive dyskinesia is marked by involuntary movement of the lips, tongue, jaw, fingers, toes and other body parts. Tardive...
Mental Health Month Marketing Feeds Lucrative Psychiatric Industry
With global sales reaching $76 billion a year, psychiatric treatment is one of the most lucrative businesses in the world and according to IMS Health, a company that provides information, services and technology for the healthcare industry, there are over 78 million...
Mental Health Watchdog Launches Website to Educate Parents on Their Rights
Earlier this month the Florida chapter of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), an international mental health watchdog organization, launched a newly revised website designed to help parents understand some of the rights accorded to them under the law....
What do they do when they Baker Act you?
Usually a person who is Baker Acted is transported to a psychiatric facility by law enforcement for an initial examination by a psychiatrist. Once at the facility the person can be held involuntarily for up to 72 hours. For more information on the Baker Act click...
What happens after 72 hours of Baker Act?
A person may not be held for longer than 72 hours and when the 72 hours is up the person must be released unless charged with a crime, or the person must decide to stay on a voluntary basis or the facility must file a petition for involuntary commitment. For more...
Is Baker Act only in Florida?
Baker Act is the common term for involuntary psychiatric examination also known as short term emergency commitment. Every state in the country has their own version of the Baker Act and each law is unique to that state. For more information on the Baker Act click...
What does it mean to be Baker Acted?
Being Baker Acted means that you have been taken into custody, usually by law enforcement, and transported to a psychiatric facility for examination. You can then be held for up to 72 hours at the psychiatric facility. For more information on the Baker Act click...
What does it take to Baker Act someone in Florida?
There are three criteria that must be met in order for a person to be taken into custody under a Baker Act. A Baker Act can be initiated by judges, law enforcement officials, doctors or mental health professionals. For more information on the Baker Act click here.
What is the difference between Baker Act and Marchman Act?
The Baker Act is used to involuntarily commit individuals who are considered to be a danger to self or others due to mental illness. The Marchman Act is used to force a person who has a drug or alcohol addiction into treatment. For more information on the Baker Act...
Does a Baker Act go on your record?
Yes. There will be a medical record, a police record if law enforcement was involved and if a petition is filed for involuntary placement then also a court record. There is no procedure in the law to remove or seal the records of a Baker Act. For more information on...
Can a Baker Act refuse treatment?
Yes, a person can refuse treatment if it was determined during the initial examination that the person is competent to consent. If the person was deemed incompetent then the facility must to have a guardian advocate appointed. For more information on the Baker Act...
What happens if you get Baker Acted?
Usually a person who is Baker Acted is transported to a psychiatric facility by law enforcement for an initial examination by a psychiatrist. Once at the facility the person can be held involuntarily for up to 72 hours. Click here for more information on the Baker...
What are Parental Rights?
Even before the current pandemic scare, Florida parents have worried about protecting their children, particularly at school. The fact that children were being regularly taken from school without prior parental notice or agreement for involuntary psychiatric...
Contact CCHR Florida
109 N. Fort Harrison Ave.
Clearwater, Florida 33755
Tel: 1-800-782-2878
