The Baker Act

---

 Course Description:

This Course requires the Participant to read and understand the attached statutory excerpts, overview of the Florida Mental Health Act, Baker Act flow chart, and Certification form describing the nature and purpose of the Florida Mental Health Act, better known as the “Baker” Act, and the procedures followed in the application of this law. The Florida Mental Health Act of 1972, sponsored by former State Representative from Miami, Maxine Baker, substantially strengthened the due process and the civil rights of persons with mental health disabilities in mental health facilities. It does not substitute for any law that may permit the provision of medical or substance abuse care to persons who lack the capacity to request such care.

By providing the statute, Participants can read and understand the legal definitions of the terms used to shape the Florida Mental Health Act, helping to distinguish legal terms from their more widely-used common definitions and putting the Participant in the legal frame of mind. 

Course Objectives:

• To be aware of the nature, purpose, and intent of the Florida Mental Health Act
• To  understand what is considered a mental illness under the Act and what is not
• To be familiar with the process of clinically assessing persons for purposes of assessment pursuant to a Baker Act
• To recognize the three criteria necessary for a person to be taken to a facility
• To identify the procedural steps necessary for an involuntary assessment to be initiated
• To know and differentiate the Baker Act definitions of various professionals
• To understand the process of certifying professionals to meet statutory requirements
• To learn about telemedicine and its role in mental health treatment
• To be familiar with the process of transporting patients to facilities and timeframes of treatment and process for continuation of treatment or discharge
• To realize the impact of other disorders on the Florida Mental Health Act, such as substance abuse and Autism

Course # 20-467756

Approved By:

National Board for Certified Counselors ACEP 6663

Florida Certification Board 5229-A (Types: Addiction, Child Welfare, Mental Health, Peer Services)

Fl Boards of:

• Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling
• Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel 
• Florida Board of Massage Therapy 
• Florida Board of Nursing Home Administrator

CE# 50-8004  

Many State Boards accept courses approved through other State Boards or by National Boards such as NBCC.

Please check with your state board if it is not listed here.