TEXAS — State health data shows 1 in 5 Texans experience a mental health condition each year, with some posing a major risk to themselves or others. Advocates say a new law that takes effect on Sept. 1 will allow a safe intervention before things escalate into a crisis.
State legislators passed Senate Bill 1164 in June. It will allow law enforcement officers to detain without a warrant those who they believe are at risk of harming themselves or others due to mental illness.
Eric Smith, a San Antonio resident, says that getting arrested was the only way he could get a mental health evaluation. Prior to that arrest, his thoughts had turned to dangerous conspiracy-related obsession…