Randleman, Walke to Examine Correlation of Mental Health Services, Law Enforcement Intervention

This interim study seeks to understand how providing more mental health services may decrease the number of mental health crises to which law enforcement must respond. 

WHO

Rep. Randy Randleman, R-Eufaula; Rep. Collin Walke, D-Oklahoma City; Oklahoma Commissioner of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Carrie Slatton-Hodges; Tulsa County Mental Health Court Special Judge Kirsten Pace; Cathy Costello, advocate for mental health reform; Haskell County Sheriff Tim Turner; Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado; and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Tulsa President Steve Baker.

WHAT

Interim Study 21-035, held before the House Public Safety Committee, seeks to understand how providing more mental health services may decrease the number of mental health crises that law enforcement responds to. This study also will look at providing more training for law enforcement to help them determine when an individual is experiencing an emotional disturbance or a behavioral issue, as well as how Medicaid funding may be utilized.

WHEN

9 a.m.-12 p.m., Monday, Sept. 13, 2021

WHERE

Oklahoma State Capitol, Room 4S5, 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105

A livestream of the interim study will be available here.

Mental Health and Oklahoma Law Enforcement

Rep. Randy Randleman, R-Eufaula and Rep. Collin Walke, D-Oklahoma City, are the authors of the interim study. Special speakers in the interim study are pictured above from left to right: Cathy Costello, advocate for mental health reform; Tulsa County Mental Health Court Special Judge Kirsten Pace; Oklahoma Commissioner of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Carrie Slatton-Hodges; Steve Baker, President, NAMI Tulsa; Haskell County Sheriff Tim Turner, and Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado.