Trending...
- Governor Newsom honors fallen California Highway Patrol Officer Miguel Cano
- Governor Newsom marks historic expansion of California's Film and Television Tax Credit Program, announces 16 new projects to film in the Golden State
- California: Governor Newsom announces appointments 7.2.25
At the peak in 2020/2021, there were almost 40,000 Baker Acts, involuntary psychiatric examinations, involving children with the Suncoast Region (Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas, Pasco, DeSoto, and Sarasota counties) having the greatest occurrences.
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Californer -- While not officially recognized, June has unofficially become Parental Rights Month. Many groups that work to protect parental rights deserve to take a moment to recognize the gains in this area but according to one such group there is still much more to be done.
A leader in the recent parental rights movement, Florida has made great strides in protecting parental rights. The passage of the Parents' Bill of Rights in 2021 is just one example of the ways in which Florida is working to protect children and families. The Parents' Bill of Rights guarantees many rights which have historically been viewed as fundamental, including a parent's right to direct the mental health of their children.
However, according to the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), this right is being undermined by Florida's mental health law.
In 2020/2021 there were close to 40,000 Baker Acts involving children in one year in Florida. When the Parents' Bill of Rights passed in 2021 this number began dropping and as additional key bills were passed protecting a parent's right to direct the mental health of their children this number continued to drop.
More on The Californer
The number of involuntary psychiatric examinations, Baker Acts, involving children has drop by almost 10,000 per year but the rate of Baker Acts is even lower due to the increase of children in the state.
"The overall change in the number of children being Baker Acted is promising, but the Baker Acting of children at all is a violation of parental rights," stated the president for the Florida chapter of CCHR, Diane Stein.
In order to Baker Act anyone there is a set list of criteria that must be met. All points must be met. Included in these criteria is the option to allow a person to be helped by willing, able and responsible family members, so why are so many children still being Baker Acted?
"I believe there are two reasons why parents are not being given the opportunity to help their children and instead the child is Baker Acted. The Baker Act is profitable and it is being used as a disciplinary tool," stated Diane Stein.
At an average of $1400 per day, Baker Acting is potentially big business in Florida when you start adding up the total number of Baker Acts and the average length of stay which despite the law stating it is only for 72 hours may end up being substantially longer as was the case for one Florida woman who found herself being held without what appears to be probable cause.
Demoree Hadley found herself ambushed in a parking lot by a psychiatrist she never met, a private security firm hired to transport her and a Sheriff's Office who seemingly just went along with what was happening despite the obvious evidence that Hadley did not meet the criteria for Baker Acting. This woman ended up being Baker Acted, transported to the hospital where the psychiatrist works and then to the drug rehab where this same psychiatrist practices where she claims she was held for two weeks. Hadley denies using drugs and never tested positive for drugs.
More on The Californer
The above story involves an adult but unfortunately the blatant violation of rights happens to children and to their parents.
"It is time for Florida to finish the job they started and pass legislation that will cement a parent's right to direct the mental health of their children and abolish the use of the involuntary Baker Act for anyone under the age of 18. If a parent feels their child is in crisis and needs help, they have numerous means by which to make that happen," stated Stein.
About CCHR: Initially established by the Church of Scientology and renowned psychiatrist Dr. Thomas Szasz in 1969, CCHR's mission is to eradicate abuses committed under the guise of mental health and enact patient and consumer protections. L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology, first brought psychiatric imprisonment to wide public notice: "Thousands and thousands are seized without process of law, every week, over the 'free world' tortured, castrated, killed. All in the name of 'mental health,'" he wrote in March 1969. For more information please visit www.cchrflorida.org.
A leader in the recent parental rights movement, Florida has made great strides in protecting parental rights. The passage of the Parents' Bill of Rights in 2021 is just one example of the ways in which Florida is working to protect children and families. The Parents' Bill of Rights guarantees many rights which have historically been viewed as fundamental, including a parent's right to direct the mental health of their children.
However, according to the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), this right is being undermined by Florida's mental health law.
In 2020/2021 there were close to 40,000 Baker Acts involving children in one year in Florida. When the Parents' Bill of Rights passed in 2021 this number began dropping and as additional key bills were passed protecting a parent's right to direct the mental health of their children this number continued to drop.
More on The Californer
- Jason Koch: Pioneering the Future of Real Estate Development in New Jersey
- Amid Trump's assault on public lands, California conserves over one million acres of land and coastal waters in just one year
- California: Governor Newsom announces appointments 7.7.25
- City of Long Beach to Upgrade Its Internet Infrastructure to Enhance City Network Reliability and Performance
- Groflex Named One of the Top 100 Manufacturing Startups in San Francisco by F6S
The number of involuntary psychiatric examinations, Baker Acts, involving children has drop by almost 10,000 per year but the rate of Baker Acts is even lower due to the increase of children in the state.
"The overall change in the number of children being Baker Acted is promising, but the Baker Acting of children at all is a violation of parental rights," stated the president for the Florida chapter of CCHR, Diane Stein.
In order to Baker Act anyone there is a set list of criteria that must be met. All points must be met. Included in these criteria is the option to allow a person to be helped by willing, able and responsible family members, so why are so many children still being Baker Acted?
"I believe there are two reasons why parents are not being given the opportunity to help their children and instead the child is Baker Acted. The Baker Act is profitable and it is being used as a disciplinary tool," stated Diane Stein.
At an average of $1400 per day, Baker Acting is potentially big business in Florida when you start adding up the total number of Baker Acts and the average length of stay which despite the law stating it is only for 72 hours may end up being substantially longer as was the case for one Florida woman who found herself being held without what appears to be probable cause.
Demoree Hadley found herself ambushed in a parking lot by a psychiatrist she never met, a private security firm hired to transport her and a Sheriff's Office who seemingly just went along with what was happening despite the obvious evidence that Hadley did not meet the criteria for Baker Acting. This woman ended up being Baker Acted, transported to the hospital where the psychiatrist works and then to the drug rehab where this same psychiatrist practices where she claims she was held for two weeks. Hadley denies using drugs and never tested positive for drugs.
More on The Californer
- BofA Directs Additional $1 Million to Los Angeles Nonprofits for Evolving Fire Recovery Needs
- Introducing LK Blue: The Cool-Girl Denim Brand That's Redefining LA Style Launches E-Commerce
- THINKWARE Announces Prime Day Deals on Best-Selling Dash Cams
- Zeta Sky Strengthens Cybersecurity Support for Ontario Businesses Facing Rising Identity & Complian
- Bach and Beyond: Cellists Return to the Beach for 2nd Annual Bethany Beach Cellofest
The above story involves an adult but unfortunately the blatant violation of rights happens to children and to their parents.
"It is time for Florida to finish the job they started and pass legislation that will cement a parent's right to direct the mental health of their children and abolish the use of the involuntary Baker Act for anyone under the age of 18. If a parent feels their child is in crisis and needs help, they have numerous means by which to make that happen," stated Stein.
About CCHR: Initially established by the Church of Scientology and renowned psychiatrist Dr. Thomas Szasz in 1969, CCHR's mission is to eradicate abuses committed under the guise of mental health and enact patient and consumer protections. L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology, first brought psychiatric imprisonment to wide public notice: "Thousands and thousands are seized without process of law, every week, over the 'free world' tortured, castrated, killed. All in the name of 'mental health,'" he wrote in March 1969. For more information please visit www.cchrflorida.org.
Source: Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Florida
0 Comments
Latest on The Californer
- Skool Alternatives Reddit: Skool vs Circle vs Whop - Did you join one yet?
- Southern Soul Artist Moe Z Releases New Single 'Set It Out' Distributed by Morris Day Entertainment
- SacraPod Suites Unveils AI-Powered 'Work + Rest' Smart Hospitality Model for Retrofitting Underused Motels Across the U.S
- Green Jacket Gateway" System: Your Definitive Path to Golfing Greatness
- From Real Estate to Reel Power: H.L Woods Carves His Legacy as a Cutting-Edge Visionary Filmmaker
- Luxury Auto Detailing Brings High-End Mobile Car Care to Cherry Valley and Surrounding Areas
- Transgender Visual Artist Debuts New Work
- Stay Cool All Day With BGMgirl Drawstring Half Wigs
- California: Governor Newsom proclaims Independence Day 2025
- Gundam GQuuuuuuX Takes Center Stage at Anime Expo 2025
- John Duffy Competes in Mr Muscle Beach
- New Release: 'The Invisible Alternative' Unveiled by Atrisk Corporation, Resilient
- Thorn & Bloom Magazine Unveils Groundbreaking Second Edition: "Breaking the Cycle"
- Cheap O SMS Launches Groundbreaking Free SMS API Service
- California: Governor Newsom signs legislation 7.3.25
- Fireworks, fun, and safety: California preps for the holiday weekend
- BillBoards Inc. Hits the Road with God Bless America Tour and Reality Series Now Streaming on Tubi TV
- Legacy vs. Legacy Gala: Celebrating the Past, Powering the Future of the L.A. Watts Summer Games
- Orion Retreats: Pioneering the Future of Conscious Leadership and Luxury Wellness Tourism
- Cynthia Pinot Among Artists Selected for Renowned London Art Biennale 2025