Tulsa County leaders show support for proposed mental health settlement with State Department

Tulsa County leaders say they support the proposed settlement in the lawsuit against the state Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

Friday, June 21, 2024, 6:20 p.m

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News on the 6th

TULSA, Okla. –

Tulsa County leaders say they support the proposed settlement in the lawsuit against the state Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

The suit says the department violated the rights of four people who were deemed incompetent to stand trial but had to wait in jail for months before receiving mental health treatment.

Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado and District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler say local counties are paying the price for state inaction.

The agreement says the state department must come up with a plan to help patients faster and increase the number of patients the state can treat.

A judge still needs to approve the deal.