We won because we refused to let them ignore the rights of our children. This change in policy is a direct result of your persistence in demanding parental consent. Keep watching the school board meetings to ensure they actually follow through on this new rule.
February 23, 2018
Final supporters
FLORIDA RESIDENTS ONLY PLEASE!
It is the opinion of CCHR that before a school initiates an involuntary psychiatric examination is initiated on a minor that they should first ensure that a child is not exhibiting “anti-social behavior” which is specifically excluded from the definition of mental illness in Florida. Children have tantrums and teenagers have dramatic moments – all of which can be misinterpreted as signs of mental illness when in fact they are normal childhood behaviors.
If the personnel authorized to initiate an involuntary examination, called a Baker Act, truly believe that the behavior of a child is a result of mental illness then in our opinion, and according to the criteria for initiation, the parent or legal guardian should be contacted for the purpose of obtaining consent for a voluntary examination. This opinion is based on the existing law which you can read about more on our website at “Involuntary Examination of Minors”.
This is NOT being done. Instead involuntary examinations are being initiated on children without parental knowledge. The parent finds out AFTER their child has been Baker Acted.
Just in Florida there were 32,475 children sent for involuntary psychiatric examination during fiscal year 2015-2016.
This violation of human rights is happening to children as young as six years of age who are being Baker Acted without parental knowledge. A BuzzFeed investigative news report titled “HOW A 6-YEAR-OLD GOT LOCKED ON A PSYCH WARD” illustrates the abusive use of the Baker Act and the undermining of parental rights in Florida.
Based on the above this petition is demanding that:
1) Parents or legal guardians are notified immediately before the initiation of an involuntary psychiatric examination. No involuntary examination may be initiated without the parent first being given the right to refuse voluntary treatment as laid out in Florida Statute 394.463 Involuntary examination, which states “The person has refused voluntary examination after conscientious explanation and disclosure of the purpose of the examination.” For a minor the person who may consent for treatment of any kind is a parent or legal guardian.
2) Parents or legal guardians are told to come to their child's school immediately and given information on the situation. If no contact at first call - all emergency numbers for the child are called until someone is reached
3) At NO time is a child removed from school premises without parental knowledge. Parents or legal guardians are to be given the option to take full responsibility for their child and work with the school and police to calm the situation down as laid out in Florida Statute 394.463 Involuntary examination, which states “and it is not apparent that such harm may be avoided through the help of willing family members or friends or the provision of other services.”
4) That the existing law governing the involuntary psychiatric examination of children be amended to restore parental rights by clearly stating the exact procedure that must be followed for a minor and by enacting penalties for failure to properly execute this law
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
February 6, 2018
December 16, 2017
I am currently compiling the stories from parents who have had their children taken without consent. Email your state representative today and demand that they review these involuntary commitment policies before another child is pulled from a classroom. We are building the files we need to force a real policy shift.
July 26, 2017
The momentum behind this effort is undeniable now. Post our link on Facebook today to ensure parents across Florida know their rights before a crisis happens. Text three friends this link and tell them why protecting our kids from forced examinations matters.
Reached 100 supporters
July 12, 2017
320 Comments
My 14 yr old daughter has been held now for 48 hrs I have been refused right to see her and spoke only for 15 min yesterday , she’s calm and not at risk of harming anyone or herself but will not be released. This has been a traumatizing event for her and our family.
My son has been a victim of this, he was baker acted and released for counseling after 4 days, than 3 days later at his counseling session he was baker acted again. After reading the report the person who wrote it lied about my wifes consent and agreement to the act.
I have a lot to say about this subject but not enough time to vent. We experienced this and it traumatized and embarrassed our daughter as they paraded her out of the school with a shefiffs deputy while her peers watched and wondered. We were called after the fact.
recommendation of such testing should come from a license healthcare professional in the field of child psychology or psychiatry. Teachers need to stop diagnosing student this is out of their scope of licensing and stick to education.
Parents MUST be acknowledged for their rights to determine the handling for their children and not someone external to the family who arbitrarily makes a decision for involuntary examination of a child thus denying the child's parents their rights.
How is possible that my kid was Baker acted when after a series of bullying episodes at the school and those reported to the teachers, and after care counselors, nothing was done. But, one day he had it, and he reacted (wrongly) sending a bad text that took a wrong turn and now he is the one being punished. That is an experience no 11 year old should go through. My son is a happy kid. A good student.
This needs change. It's horrible that this it happening so frequently. This loophole needs changed.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
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We won because we refused to let them ignore the rights of our children. This change in policy is a direct result of your persistence in demanding parental consent. Keep watching the school board meetings to ensure they actually follow through on this new rule.
February 23, 2018
Final supporters
FLORIDA RESIDENTS ONLY PLEASE!
It is the opinion of CCHR that before a school initiates an involuntary psychiatric examination is initiated on a minor that they should first ensure that a child is not exhibiting “anti-social behavior” which is specifically excluded from the definition of mental illness in Florida. Children have tantrums and teenagers have dramatic moments – all of which can be misinterpreted as signs of mental illness when in fact they are normal childhood behaviors.
If the personnel authorized to initiate an involuntary examination, called a Baker Act, truly believe that the behavior of a child is a result of mental illness then in our opinion, and according to the criteria for initiation, the parent or legal guardian should be contacted for the purpose of obtaining consent for a voluntary examination. This opinion is based on the existing law which you can read about more on our website at “Involuntary Examination of Minors”.
This is NOT being done. Instead involuntary examinations are being initiated on children without parental knowledge. The parent finds out AFTER their child has been Baker Acted.
Just in Florida there were 32,475 children sent for involuntary psychiatric examination during fiscal year 2015-2016.
This violation of human rights is happening to children as young as six years of age who are being Baker Acted without parental knowledge. A BuzzFeed investigative news report titled “HOW A 6-YEAR-OLD GOT LOCKED ON A PSYCH WARD” illustrates the abusive use of the Baker Act and the undermining of parental rights in Florida.
Based on the above this petition is demanding that:
1) Parents or legal guardians are notified immediately before the initiation of an involuntary psychiatric examination. No involuntary examination may be initiated without the parent first being given the right to refuse voluntary treatment as laid out in Florida Statute 394.463 Involuntary examination, which states “The person has refused voluntary examination after conscientious explanation and disclosure of the purpose of the examination.” For a minor the person who may consent for treatment of any kind is a parent or legal guardian.
2) Parents or legal guardians are told to come to their child's school immediately and given information on the situation. If no contact at first call - all emergency numbers for the child are called until someone is reached
3) At NO time is a child removed from school premises without parental knowledge. Parents or legal guardians are to be given the option to take full responsibility for their child and work with the school and police to calm the situation down as laid out in Florida Statute 394.463 Involuntary examination, which states “and it is not apparent that such harm may be avoided through the help of willing family members or friends or the provision of other services.”
4) That the existing law governing the involuntary psychiatric examination of children be amended to restore parental rights by clearly stating the exact procedure that must be followed for a minor and by enacting penalties for failure to properly execute this law
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
February 6, 2018
December 16, 2017
I am currently compiling the stories from parents who have had their children taken without consent. Email your state representative today and demand that they review these involuntary commitment policies before another child is pulled from a classroom. We are building the files we need to force a real policy shift.
July 26, 2017
The momentum behind this effort is undeniable now. Post our link on Facebook today to ensure parents across Florida know their rights before a crisis happens. Text three friends this link and tell them why protecting our kids from forced examinations matters.
Reached 100 supporters
July 12, 2017
320 Comments
My 8 year old child was Baker acted yesterday , without my consent. The on campus police officer was constantly giving her opinions related to my daughter's mental health and pretty much twisted everything my daughter stated during an investigation.
My 14 yr old daughter has been held now for 48 hrs I have been refused right to see her and spoke only for 15 min yesterday , she’s calm and not at risk of harming anyone or herself but will not be released. This has been a traumatizing event for her and our family.
My son has been a victim of this, he was baker acted and released for counseling after 4 days, than 3 days later at his counseling session he was baker acted again. After reading the report the person who wrote it lied about my wifes consent and agreement to the act.
I have a lot to say about this subject but not enough time to vent. We experienced this and it traumatized and embarrassed our daughter as they paraded her out of the school with a shefiffs deputy while her peers watched and wondered. We were called after the fact.
recommendation of such testing should come from a license healthcare professional in the field of child psychology or psychiatry. Teachers need to stop diagnosing student this is out of their scope of licensing and stick to education.
Parents MUST be acknowledged for their rights to determine the handling for their children and not someone external to the family who arbitrarily makes a decision for involuntary examination of a child thus denying the child's parents their rights.
How is possible that my kid was Baker acted when after a series of bullying episodes at the school and those reported to the teachers, and after care counselors, nothing was done. But, one day he had it, and he reacted (wrongly) sending a bad text that took a wrong turn and now he is the one being punished. That is an experience no 11 year old should go through. My son is a happy kid. A good student.
This needs change. It's horrible that this it happening so frequently. This loophole needs changed.
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My 8 year old child was Baker acted yesterday , without my consent. The on campus police officer was constantly giving her opinions related to my daughter's mental health and pretty much twisted everything my daughter stated during an investigation.