Baker Act

Baker Act
Florida State Legislature
Full name	Florida Mental Health Act of 1971
Introduced	1971
Website	leg.state.fl.us

The Florida Mental Health Act of 1971,^[1] commonly known as the "Baker Act," allows for a) short-term, inpatient voluntary and involuntary examination, b) inpatient voluntary and involuntary admission of an individual for assessment and treatment of a mental illness, and c) involuntary outpatient treatment for mental illness.

The Florida Department of Children and Families makes resources available online for individuals and families to learn about the Baker Act^[2] and to access training about it.^[3] There was a 2023 Baker Act User Reference Guide published in the fall of 2023.^[4] Reports of data about involuntary examination are available at the Baker Act Reporting Center.^[5] Additional specifics about requirements for and carrying out the Baker Act are contained in Florida Administrative Code 65E-5, titled the "Mental Health Act Regulation," which some colloquially refer to as the "rule."^[6] Mandatory and suggested forms to use for various activities, as allowed in the Baker Act, are part of a subsection of this Florida Administrative Code, 65E-5.120.^[7]