[Related article][Opinion]The Silent Tragedy on LA’s Streets
California cities are hesitating to implement Senate Bill 43, which passed in 2024 to help individuals with severe mental illness and substance use disorders. The law expands the definition of “gravely disabled” to include those with severe substance use disorders and allows for involuntary treatment when people cannot access basic medical care or ensure their safety.
Key provisions include:
- Expanded criteria for involuntary holds, including severe substance use disorder
- 72-hour maximum initial detention period
- Post-detention options: discharge, voluntary admission, or extended involuntary treatment
- Definition of severe substance use disorder: meeting 6+ criteria from DSM-5-TR
Despite the law’s passage, implementation faces resistance from civil rights groups and nonprofits citing human rights concerns and community impact. Cities also point to budget constraints as implementation barriers.
Meanwhile, individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders continue to face dire circumstances on the streets. Advocates argue that swift implementation could prevent tragic deaths, while opponents maintain concerns about civil liberties.
The law represents California’s effort to balance individual rights with necessary intervention for those unable to care for themselves, though its actual impact remains limited by implementation challenges.
