The Mark Costello Act For Assisted Outpatient Treatment.
Cathy Costello and four of her children were on hand for the governor's signing of the Mark Costello Act. Legislation to help families get assisted outpatient treatment for adult relatives with mental illness before a situation reaches a crisis has been signed into law, this Summer. House Bill 1697, by Sen. AJ Griffin and Rep. Lee Denney, was formally signed by the governor, with the Costello family and many state leaders on hand for the event. The legislation is named the Labor Commissioner Mark Costello Act. Costello’s adult son, Christian, who struggled with mental illness for years, is charged in his father’s 2015 death.
Griffin said only a few decades ago, many with mental illness in this country were institutionalized, often against their will. With the move toward deinstitutionalization and community based treatment, laws were passed to ensure patients with mental illness could only be forced into treatment if they were an eminent threat to themselves or others.
HB 1697 outlines circumstances which would allow judges to order individuals to participate in an assisted outpatient treatment program:
Griffin said only a few decades ago, many with mental illness in this country were institutionalized, often against their will. With the move toward deinstitutionalization and community based treatment, laws were passed to ensure patients with mental illness could only be forced into treatment if they were an eminent threat to themselves or others.
HB 1697 outlines circumstances which would allow judges to order individuals to participate in an assisted outpatient treatment program:
- if petitioned by immediate family members or guardians or those directly involved with the individual’s treatment.
- The individual must be 18 years or older,
- under the care of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, and
- unlikely to survive safely in the community without supervision.
| “Unfortunately, by the time that happens, it may be too late to avoid a crisis. It’s especially difficult for families who’ve tried to help children with mental illness, but learn once their child turns 18, their hands are often tied when they attempt to get their son or daughter the treatment they need to be able to function safely at home and in the community,” said Griffin, R-Guthrie. “The Mark Costello Act would give families a path through the courts to get their loved one into assisted outpatient treatment before a tragedy occurs.” HB 1697 outlines circumstances which would allow judges to order individuals to participate in an assisted outpatient treatment program if petitioned by immediate family members or guardians or those directly involved with the individual’s treatment. The individual must be 18 years or older, under the care of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, and unlikely to survive safely in the community without supervision. Denney said before Costello’s death, he had been an advocate for mental health treatment resources in Oklahoma. |  From the Blue Room at the Capitol: Hope was restored for families advocating mental health reform. Governor Mary Fallin signed the Mark Costello Act into law. Named after the late Labor Commissioner Mark Costello, whose son has a history of mental illness and is accused of killing him. Similar legislation failed over the past three years in committee. The Costello family believes if the bill had passed sooner, Mark Costello would be alive today. “The Labor Commissioner Mark Costello Act is an act of love,” Cathy Costello said at the signing. Governor Fallin added, “We signed the Labor Commissioner Mark Costello Act which will help families be able to get medication for their loved ones who maybe suffer from mental illness, but refuse treatment.” |
