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Choice <br />Law Enforcement may take into consideration individual choice when making a <br />determination of which Baker Act receiving facility to transport the individual. However, if <br />an Ex Parte order for involuntary Examination has been entered by the Court, requiring <br />the law enforcement officer to take the person to a specifically named facility, or the <br />appropriate, or nearest, facility within the designated receiving system. <br />Least Restrictive Means to Transport <br />Pursuant to Senate Bill 1844, passed by the Florida Legislature and made effective on <br />July 1St, 2022, Law Enforcement Officers transporting individuals under the Baker Act <br />should use the least restrictive means available and appropriate under the circumstances <br />to transport individuals. This may include the utilization of de-escalation techniques, <br />forgoing handcuffs, and other restraints, and/or the inclusion of Community Intervention <br />Team (CIT) officers. <br />Emergency Contact Information <br />Pursuant to Senate Bill 1262, passed by the Florida Legislature and made effective on <br />July 1St, 2022, Law Enforcement Officers are required to: (a) search certain electronic <br />databases for emergency contact information of Baker Act patients being transported to <br />a receiving facility, and; (b) report any known contact information for relatives of persons <br />detained under the Baker Act. <br />Medical Treatment <br />Pursuant to Section 394.462(1)(i), F.S., "[i]f the appropriate law enforcement officer <br />believes that a person has an emergency medical condition as defined in Section <br />395.002, Florida Statutes, the person may be first transported to a hospital for emergency <br />medical treatment, regardless of whether the hospital is a designated receiving facility." <br />Transportation Upon Being Medically Stabilized: Upon completion of treatment for <br />individuals who are designated "on hold" or "still in custody", law enforcement is <br />responsible for arranging transport to the jail to be booked and/or to the appropriate Baker <br />Act receiving facility. For persons not in custody for a criminal offense and the individual <br />has been stabilized, the hospital or emergency care center shall be responsible for <br />arranging transportation to the appropriate Baker Act receiving facility under this <br />Transportation Plan. <br />Persons Arrested or in Custody <br />Felony Arrests: Pursuant to Chapter 394.462, (1){f), Florida Statutes, 'When any <br />law enforcement officer has arrested a person for a felony and it appears that the <br />person meets the statutory guidelines for involuntary examination or placement <br />under this part, such person must first be processed in the same manner as any <br />other criminal suspect. The law enforcement agency shall thereafter immediately <br />notify the appropriate facility within the designated receiving system pursuant to a <br />transportation plan or an exception under Subsection (4), or to the nearest <br />E <br />