Florida's Parental Rights Under Scrutiny Amid High Rates of Child Baker Acts

Florida has been at the forefront of the parental rights movement, notably with the passage of the Parents' Bill of Rights in 2021, which aims to safeguard parents' rights to direct their children's mental health. However, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) highlights a concerning contradiction in the state's approach, pointing to the high number of children subjected to Baker Acts—a form of involuntary psychiatric examination—as a violation of these very rights.

While the number of Baker Acts involving children has decreased by nearly 10,000 annually since the Parents' Bill of Rights was enacted, the practice remains a contentious issue. Diane Stein, president of the Florida chapter of CCHR, argues that the Baker Act not only infringes on parental rights but also serves as a profitable venture and a disciplinary tool, with costs averaging $1400 per day per case.

The case of Demoree Hadley, an adult who was allegedly Baker Acted without meeting the necessary criteria and held for two weeks, underscores the potential for abuse within the system. Stein advocates for legislation that would eliminate the use of the Baker Act for minors, emphasizing that parents should have the unequivocal right to decide on their children's mental health care without state interference.

This issue sheds light on the broader implications of mental health laws and parental rights, questioning the balance between state intervention and family autonomy. The call to abolish the Baker Act for children under 18 reflects a growing concern over the protection of parental rights and the ethical treatment of minors in mental health crises.