YEAH, IT’S REPRESENTATIVE CYNTHIA ROWE. AND SHE SAYS IT WAS THE ORIGIN OF THE REGION SHE REPRESENTS. AND EVEN KNEW SOME OF ITS ELEMENTS. NOW SHE WANTS TO MAKE SURE HER NEW BILL, IF PASSED, CAN HELP ENSURE LAW ENFORCEMENTS ARE EQUIPPED TO HANDLE ANYONE WHO HAS A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. I THINK THIS SHOWS UP THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS WE HAVE IN OKLAHOMA. I THOUGHT IT WAS APPROPRIATE TO INCORPORATE SHANNON’S STORY INTO THIS LEGISLATION. SHANNON HANSHAW OR HOUSE BILL 2157 WOULD ENCOURAGE LAW ENFORCEMENTS TO TRAIN 20% OF THEIR OFFICERS IN CRISIS RESPONSE SO THAT IF THEY ENCOUNTER SOMEONE WHO HAS MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEMS OR ‘THEY MIGHT BETTER RECOGNIZE THIS AND CHOOSE THE RIGHT PATH FOR THIS INDIVIDUAL. WHILE THE BILL WOULD ACTUALLY HAVE NO REQUIREMENT FOR WRITTEN DEPARTMENTS THINKS IT COULD IMPROVE OKLAHOMA’S MENTAL HEALTH SITUATION. MY GOAL IS TO HELP LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES RECOGNIZE AND APPROPRIATELY DEAL WITH A PERSON WHO SEEMS TO BE IN MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. THE JUSTICE FOR SHANNON GROUP HAS SENT ME A STATEMENT SAYING THIS BILL IS A PROMISING FIRST STEP, BUT WE HAVE A LONG WAY AHEAD TO AVOID CRUEL AND NEEDLESS SUFFERING IN OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM. I JUST HOPE OKLAHOMANS CONTINUE TO REALIZE THE EXTENT OF THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS WE HAVE IN THIS STATE. THE BILL HAS PASSED BY THE
Bill inspired by Norman’s ‘Cookie Queen’ targets law enforcement and mental health appeals
A Norman woman who died at the Cleveland County Detention Center inspired a lawmaker to make changes to how law enforcement handles mental health calls.
Updated: 5:20 PM CST March 10, 2023
A Norman woman who died at the Cleveland County Detention Center inspired a lawmaker to make changes to how law enforcement handles mental health calls. Shannon Hanchett, a businesswoman and mental health advocate known as the “Cookie Queen” of Norman, died in the custody of the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office. Community members expressed outrage after her death, saying she should have been taken to hospital rather than jail. State Representative Cynthia Roe said Hanchett is from the same area she represents. Now she said she hopes the Shannon Hanchett Act can ensure law enforcement is equipped for anyone having a mental health crisis. “I think it highlights the mental health crisis we have in Oklahoma. I thought it was appropriate to incorporate Shannon’s story into this legislation,” Roe said. The bill would encourage law enforcement to train 20% of their officers in incident response. “So if they come across someone in a mental health crisis, substance abuse problem, they might be better able to recognize that and choose the right course of action for that person,” Roe said. If passed, the law could improve Oklahoma’s mental health situation. “My goal is to help law enforcement recognize and appropriately deal with someone who appears to be in a mental health crisis,” Roe said. The group Justice for Shannon sent KOCO a statement saying, “This bill is a promising first step, but we have a long way to go to prevent cruel and unnecessary suffering in our justice system.” “I just hope Oklahomans continue to realize the magnitude of the mental health crisis we have in the state,” Roe said. House Bill 2157 has passed the House and is now heading to the Senate. Top HeadlinesBill aims to allow Oklahomans to buy full-strength alcohol at grocery storesTherapists concerned about Oklahoma law requiring database for patient mental health informationOHP:3 teens killed, another seriously injured in Creek County crashTIMELINE: Severe thunderstorms with hail hazard, tornadoes possible SaturdayOklahoma woman sues Snapchat over son’s fentanyl overdoseOU Athletics releases statement after return by Gentry Williams from the hospital
A Norman woman who died at the Cleveland County Detention Center inspired a lawmaker to make changes to how law enforcement handles mental health calls.
Shannon Hanchett, a businesswoman and mental health advocate known as the “Cookie Queen” of Norman, died in the custody of the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office. Community members expressed outrage after her death, saying she should have been taken to hospital rather than jail.
State Representative Cynthia Roe said Hanchett is from the same area she represents. Now she said she hopes the Shannon Hanchett Act can ensure law enforcement is equipped for anyone having a mental health crisis.
“I think it highlights the mental health crisis we have in Oklahoma. I thought it was appropriate to incorporate Shannon’s story into this legislation,” Roe said.
The bill would encourage law enforcement to train 20% of their officers in crisis intervention.
“So if they come across a person who is in a mental health crisis, a substance abuse issue, they might be better able to recognize that and choose the right course of action for that person,” Roe said.
If passed, the law could improve Oklahoma’s mental health situation.
“My goal is to help law enforcement recognize and appropriately deal with someone who appears to be in a mental health crisis,” Roe said.
The Justice for Shannon group sent KOCO a statement saying, “This bill is a promising first step, but we have a long way to go to prevent cruel and unnecessary suffering in our justice system.
“I just hope Oklahomans continue to realize the magnitude of the mental health crisis we have in the state,” Roe said.
House Bill 2157 has passed the House and is now heading to the Senate.
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