Mental health bill remains at a stand still

Although lawmakers have pledged to come together on a bipartisan mental health bill this spring, progress is stalled, The Hill reports. Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.) is working on the House’s Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, which includes the expansion of involuntary outpatient treatment in all states. He reportedly planned to meet with Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) to discuss common ground.

Sen. Murphy believes the involuntary outpatient proposals in the bill will need to change in order to secure Democrats’ support and called the provisions “draconian.” The legislation has been simmering since the Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shootings in 2012.

Another sticking point will be funding the bill.