Florida's Legal Tools for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Crises

Friday, January 15, 2027

Online on ZOOM

1:30 PM - 4:30 PM EST

Description: Mental health and substance use crises can leave individuals, families, and professionals facing difficult questions about safety, treatment, decision-making capacity, and the appropriate role of the legal system. When voluntary treatment efforts are unsuccessful, families may struggle to understand what options remain available, what legal requirements must be met, and how to navigate systems that can seem complex and difficult to access. A working understanding of the legal frameworks governing behavioral health crises can help professionals recognize potential pathways for intervention while respecting individual rights and autonomy.

This presentation examines the intersection of behavioral health and the law, with an emphasis on practical legal mechanisms that may be available when an individual experiences a serious mental health or substance use crisis. The presentation will explore the Baker Act, which governs involuntary examination and related procedures for individuals experiencing qualifying mental health crises, and the Marchman Act, which provides pathways for involuntary assessment and treatment for qualifying substance use disorders. The presentation will also address guardianship and decision-making capacity, including circumstances in which an individual's ability to make informed decisions becomes a concern. Participants will learn about the purposes and distinctions of these laws, the circumstances in which they may apply, and the legal standards and procedural considerations that influence their use.

Learning Objectives

Objective 1: Apply practical legal and ethical considerations when helping individuals and families through a behavioral health crisis, balancing autonomy, safety, and individual rights.

Objective 2: Differentiate the legal options available when psychiatric symptoms, substance use, impaired judgment, or inability to self-care raise safety or functioning concerns. 

Objective 3: Identify the key frameworks governing involuntary treatment, guardianship, and capacity-related interventions.

Presenter

Mark Astor, Esq.

Astor Simovitch Law

Mark G. Astor, Esq., is a co-founder of Astor Simovitch Law, a Florida law firm exclusively dedicated to mental health and substance use legal services. With more than 30 years of courtroom experience, Mark previously served as an Assistant State Attorney in Palm Beach County, where he led County Court divisions and later prosecuted felony cases, before transitioning to criminal defense. His current practice focuses on the intersection of mental health, substance use, and the law, including involuntary assessment and treatment, the Florida Baker Act and Marchman Act, guardianship, decision-making capacity, and legal options available to families navigating behavioral health crises. Drawing on his extensive legal experience, Mark works to help individuals and families better understand their rights, available resources, and potential legal pathways when a loved one is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. He also speaks to professional audiences about practical legal considerations and opportunities for collaboration among families, legal professionals, and behavioral health providers.

CE Broker Tracking No. 20-1423155 This event is offered by SMHCA - Approved Continuing Education Provider - CE Broker Provider #: 50-13528. This course is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, LMHC, LMFT, LCSW and Registered Interns.

Once payment is completed you will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom Meeting ID.  TRAINING FEES (members need to be logged in to be able to register at the member rate) Completed Registrations including Payment Guarantees Participation: $15 Member $30 Nonmember $5 Student (with membership) $10 Student Nonmember (no CEUs)