Rep. Humphrey clarifies intent of mental health bill after drawing anger, concern

Yahoo

06-02-2025

A legislative bill filed by an Oklahoma lawmaker sparked outrage and fear that services provided by the state's mental health department would be moved under the Department of Corrections, but the lawmaker said he was just trying to draw attention to a problem.
Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, introduced the bill and told The Oklahoman he filed it to bring attention to the lack of beds for people with mental illness.
'We have people who have mental health issues that aren't being met in the community and they're going forward and becoming more and more of a problem because they're not receiving adequate care,' Humphrey said.
Humphrey said in a news release Wednesday he has heard from many Oklahomans upset about the bill.
"I hope everyone who has gotten angry and voiced concerns over me suggesting this move will remain outraged upon learning that Oklahoma already is sending many of our mental health patients to prison and jails," Humphrey said. "We need to be asking why the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health is not providing adequate inpatient beds for Oklahoma's growing demands for long-term mental health inpatient needs."
More: Lawsuits against corrections agency over inmate death will be filed soon, lawmaker says
He added the issue does not seem impossible to fix.
"We have hospitals, prisons, and other facilities that have closed across our state," he said. "If Oklahoma would capitalize on obtaining these numerous facilities and repurposing them to provide mental health beds, our problems would be better addressed."
Humphrey, a harsh critic of the corrections department, said the DOC and county jails are not equipped to provide mental health services 24 hours a day, but that's what they are forced to do.
The mental health department did not respond to a request for comment on the legislation.
Department of Corrections Chief of Media Relations Kay Thompson said they value the partnership between the two agencies. She said officials with the mental health department are experts in providing critical mental health and substance abuse treatment to people in the community and they have helped create programs within prisons.
'Their work is essential in addressing these issues proactively and ensuring continuity of care for those transitioning out of custody,' she told The Oklahoman.
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Humphrey's bill has been assigned to the House Rules committee, but committee Chairman Mike Osburn, R-Edmond, said Humphrey hasn't requested the bill be heard.
Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, said though Humphrey is correct the state needs more space for people with mental illness, attention-grabbing bills aren't the best way to address the issue.
Pae is the co-chair of the Mental Health Caucus, which also includes Sen. Jo Anna Dossett, D-Tulsa; Sen. Todd Gollihare, R-Kellyville; and Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa. He said they received many emails about the bill.
He said it's unrealistic to abolish an agency, especially when it impacts so many people. He said he didn't think the bill would get a committee hearing and many of his colleagues would not support that type of legislation.
'I don't think it's good policy and it seems like Representative Humphrey's intent was to draw attention to a lack of beds in our facilities, which that is a true statement,' he said. 'There's a way to do that without making people scared and being more productive.'
Pae said Oklahoma has made progress on mental health and that's a result of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that have helped fund capital investments to address the shortage of beds. Other legislative efforts include destigmatizing mental health, Pae said.
He said the state is still in need of additional resources and reform, and the Mental Health Caucus can advocate for those types of ideas, along with the Healthy Minds Policy Initiative, an Oklahoma-based research and policy group. They highlighted several bills that will improve mental health services such as improving counties' access to mental health and diversion grants.
'Overall, we're better off than we were a few years ago, but by no means are we calling it quits and saying that we are done with everything,' Pae said. 'There's no doubt we have a crisis in this state and this country when it comes to mental health, and funding has to be part of that conversation.'
Lorna Palmer, executive director the National Alliance on Mental Illness Oklahoma, said several members called the organization over the weekend with concerns about the bill and were especially worried about loved ones who have had interactions with police.
She said the department has worked with the legislature and community partners to improve mental health outcomes in the state. The organization also works with law enforcement and 988, the suicide and crisis lifeline, on crisis intervention training and how to respond to someone having a mental health crisis.
'We've worked for a long time to raise awareness around mental illness and that being mentally ill is not a crime,' Palmer said.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Rep. Justin Humphrey clarifies mental health bill he filed