Beginning today, Florida courts and law enforcement officers have a new mandate: when someone enters the justice system with signs of mental illness, treatment, not just jail, must be on the table.

The Tristin Murphy Act, which officially takes effect Oct. 1, creates statewide processes to screen defendants for mental health needs and, in many cases, divert them into treatment programs instead of incarceration.

WATCH: New law offers treatment instead of jail for some defendants as Tristin Murphy Act becomes effective today

Named for Tristin Murphy, who died by suicide in a Florida prison in 2021, the law is the most comprehensive effort meant to close gaps between behavioral health and the states criminal justice system.

With the law now in effect, Florida courts can order defendants t

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