Kentucky mental health reform bill 'Seth's Law' signed into law

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A bill focused on mental health reforms in Kentucky was signed into law last week.

Gov. Andy Beshear signed into law House Bill 385, also known as Seth's Law, on April 9 after bipartisan support. The law aims to improve guardianship and competency proceedings across the state. It was named in honor of the late Seth Stevens, who was a former attorney for the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health.

"Seth's Law will result in fewer citizens needing to be placed under state guardianship to access health care," Debra Hembree Lambert, deputy chief justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court, said in a news release Monday. "The other portion of the law will address significant delays in criminal trials by streamlining competency evaluation processes at our state facilities. Seth’s Law will result in more prompt evaluations and less delay in these criminal cases."

The law allows a trusted friend to make health care decisions rather than relying on an appointed state guardian or potentially an estranged relative. HB 385 will also allow outpatient evaluations in various settings, including jails and community facilities.

"The change in competency evaluations will eliminate the gridlock in the current system and allow individuals to receive needed services more quickly and thus ensure victims receive justice in a timely manner," Rep. Kimberly Moser, R-Taylor Mill, said in a news release.

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