by YES, THIS IS THE REPRESENTATIVE CYNTHIA ROWE. AND SHE SAYS IT WAS ORIGINALLY FROM THE TERRITORY SHE REPRESENTS. AND EVEN KNEW SOME OF THEIR CONSTITUTES. NOW, SHE WANTS TO ENSURE THAT IF PASSED, HER NEW LAW CAN HELP ENSURE LAW ENFORCEMENT IS EQUIPPED FOR ANYONE WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. I think it sheds light on the mental health crisis we have in Oklahoma. I think it appropriate to include Shannon’s story in this legislation. THE SHANNON HANSHAW ACT OR HOUSE BILL 2157 WOULD ENCOURAGE LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTS TO HAVE 20% OF THEIR OFFICERS TRAINED IN CRISIS INTERVENTION SO THAT WHEN ENCOUNTERING WITH A PERSON WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS THEY WILL BETTER RECOGNIZE AND RECOGNIZE SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEMS RIGHT WAY FORWARD FOR THIS INDIVIDUAL. ALTHOUGH THE LEGISLATION WOULD NOT ACTUALLY CONTAIN REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEPARTMENTS, THEY WROTE THAT THEY COULD IMPROVE OKLAHOMA’S MENTAL HEALTH SITUATION. MY GOAL IS TO HELP LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES IDENTIFY AND TREAT APPROPRIATELY INDIVIDUALS WHO APPEAR TO BE HAVING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. THE JUSTICE FOR SHANNON GROUP SENT ME A STATEMENT THAT THIS LEGISLATION IS A PROMISING FIRST STEP, BUT WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO PREVENT GRIG AND UNNEEDED SUFFERING IN OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM. I JUST HOPE OKLAHOMANIANS CONTINUE TO RECOGNIZE THE SIZE OF THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS WE HAVE IN THIS STATE. THE BILL IS PASSED BY THE
Inspired by Norman’s “Cookie Queen,” Bill addresses law enforcement and mental health calls
A Norman woman who died at the Cleveland County Detention Center inspired a lawmaker to make changes to the way law enforcement handles mental illness calls.
Updated March 10, 2023 5:20pm CST
A Norman woman who died at the Cleveland County Detention Center inspired a lawmaker to make changes to the way law enforcement handles mental illness calls. Shannon Hanchett, a businesswoman and mental health attorney known as Norman’s “Cookie Queen,” died in the care of the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office. Community members expressed their outrage after her death, saying she should have been taken to a hospital instead of jail. State Rep. Cynthia Roe said Hanchett is originally from the same area she represents. Now she said she hopes the Shannon Hanchett Act can ensure law enforcement is ready for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. “I think it sheds light on the mental health crisis that we have in Oklahoma. I felt it appropriate to include Shannon’s story in this legislation,” Roe said. The bill would encourage law enforcement agencies to train 20% of their officers in crisis intervention. “So that they come across a person who has a mental health crisis, substance abuse problem, that they could better recognize that and choose the right path for that person,” Roe said. If passed, the law could change the mental health situation of Improving Oklahoma “My goal is to help law enforcement identify and appropriately treat an individual who appears to be experiencing a mental health crisis,” Roe said.The Justice for Shannon group sent KOCO a statement in which it says: “This bill is a promising first step, but we still have a long way to go to prevent cruel and needless suffering in our justice system. House Bill 2157 passed through the House of Representatives and is now going to the Senate. Top-Headline Bill.” Aims to Allow Oklahoma Residents to Buy Hard Liquor at Grocery Stores Sues Snapchat over Fentanyl overdose on his son. OU Athletics Releases Statement After Gentry Williams Returns From Hospital
A Norman woman who died in the Cleveland County Detention Center inspired a lawmaker to make changes to the way law enforcement handles psychiatric calls.
Shannon Hanchett, a businesswoman and mental health attorney known as Norman’s “Cookie Queen,” died in the care of the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office. Community members expressed their outrage after her death, saying she should have been taken to a hospital instead of jail.
State Rep. Cynthia Roe said Hanchett is originally from the same area she represents. Now she said she hopes the Shannon Hanchett Act can ensure law enforcement is ready for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis.
“I think it sheds light on the mental health crisis that we have in Oklahoma. I felt it appropriate to include Shannon’s story in this legislation,” Roe said.
The bill would encourage law enforcement agencies to have 20% of their officers trained in crisis intervention.
“When they come across a person who is going through a mental health crisis or substance abuse problem, they can better recognize that and choose the right path for that person,” Roe said.
If passed, the law could improve Oklahoma’s mental health situation.
“My goal is to help law enforcement identify and appropriately deal with an individual who appears to be experiencing a mental health crisis,” Roe said.
The group Justice for Shannon sent KOCO a statement saying, “This legislation is a promising first step, but we still have a long way to go to prevent cruel and unnecessary suffering in our justice system.”
“I just hope that Oklahomans continue to realize the magnitude of the mental health crisis that we have in the state,” Roe said.
House Bill 2157 passed the House of Representatives and is now going to the Senate.
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