Supervisor Kathryn Barger issued the following statement today, following the L.A. County Board of Supervisors’ majority vote to delay the implementation of SB43, a new law that makes it legal to conserve individuals suffering from severe substance abuse disorders who are a danger to themselves:
“Our County must get the implementation of this new conservatorship law right.
We’re talking about taking the reins of thousands of individuals’ lives, so there is a lot at stake. My ‘yes’ vote today reflects my belief that we simply can’t afford a hasty roll-out. We also owe it to our high acuity individuals who remain eligible for conservatorship to build out our County health systems in a responsible way that doesn’t inadvertently sacrifice or diminish their care.
I believe we still need to keep working urgently to develop our systems of care, but this must be done in a fair and effective manner. Five years ago, I kick-started this process by authoring the motion that put L.A. County’s muscle and support behind reforming the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act. We will keep the momentum going.”