p43 s1 bill 196 b196 e.pdf

Ontario — Bills

1ST SESSION, 43RD LEGISLATURE, ONTARIO CHARLES III, 2024 Bill

An Act respecting the use of correctional facilities and mental health crises Co-sponsors: MPP K. Wong-Tam Mrs. L. Gretzky Mr. S. Mamakwa Mrs. J. Stevens Private Members’ Bill 1st Reading May 15, 2024 2nd Reading 3rd Reading Royal Assent Bill

An Act respecting the use of correctional facilities and mental health crises

Preamble This Bill aligns with the first recommendation made by the Ontario Chief Coroner’s inquest into the death of Mr. Soleiman (Soli) Faqiri. The inquest report offered recommendations to the provincial government to improve mental health resources in the cr iminal justice system. Mr. Soleiman Faqiri was a man with schizoaffective disorder who was subjected to restraints, pepper spray and isolation while in prison, which ultimately led to his death. During his time in correctional facilities, he was awaiting a medical evaluation.

He was not able to see a psychiatrist or have access to hospital resources despite experiencing an acute mental health crisis. The inquest deemed his tragic and preventable death a homicide. Therefore, His Majesty, by and with the advi ce and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows: Correctional facilities and mental health The Government of Ontario shall recognize that, (

a) a correctional facility is not an appropriate environment for a person experiencing a mental health crisis; and (

b) mental illness requires health care and should not be criminalized. Commencement This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title The

short title of this Act is the Justice for Soli Act (Stop Criminalizing Mental Health), 2024. ______________ EXPLANATORY NOTE The Bill enacts the Justice for Soli Act (Stop Criminalizing Mental Health), 2024 . The Act requires the Government of Ontario to recognize that a correctional facility is not an appropriate environment for a person experiencing a mental health crisis and that mental illness should not be criminalized.

Document details

Collection	Ontario — Bills
Citation	p43 s1 bill 196 b196 e.pdf
Type	bill
Volume / chapter	p43 s1 bill 196 b196 e.pdf
Language	en
Format	json
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	d27888b4214fbece496a5f1284b9f768159c8339

Source file is stored in the law ingest library (json).