Posted: | January 19, 2022 02:20 PM |
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From: | Senator Wayne Langerholc, Jr. |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Duty to Warn |
In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that will clarify and codify a mental health care practitioner’s duty to warn of a specific and immediate threat of serious bodily injury. Current law is vague and ambiguous regarding the specific instances needed to trigger a warning to individuals, law enforcement, and the community. Our practitioners need clear guidance as to when and who to contact when a patient communicates a propensity to harm an individual or group of individuals. This legislation draws on court decisions, law review articles, and guidance from the industry to clearly spell out what duty these practitioners have. It will also bring Pennsylvania into line with other states in codifying circumstances held by appellate courts. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation which will help keep our communities safe from threats of violence. |
Introduced as SB1151