Fourteen people from the Harrison County Consumer Service Association will travel to Charleston on Tuesday to speak out against proposed House Bill 4029, which pertains to mental health.
The group will address the Legislature in the Senate Judiciary Committee Room at the Capitol building from 9-11 a.m.
"The Legislature is trying to force mental health consumers to go to outpatient treatment, which means forcing them to go to their doctor appointments and therapy appointments and forcing them to take medications," said Project Director Kara Prunty.
"If the bill passes and patients refuse treatment, they could be forced into inpatient commitment at a facility like Sharpe Hospital," Prunty said.
The group's mission is to show there are a number of mental health consumers who believe in their right of choice, Prunty said.
The bill has the potential to affect many people, she said. It should concern everyone in West Virginia who receives or has received mental health services, she added.
Since January the association has fought different bills pertaining to mental health and hopes they will be successful in stopping Bill 4029 before it becomes law.
"The Legislature tends to make laws that are beneficial for government and mental health providers, instead of consumers," Prunty said.
For more information about the bill or the organization, call (304) 623-5666, extension 218.
Staff writer Jennifer Biller can be reached at 626-1443.
