- The Tristin Murphy Act has passed in Florida.
- The legislation was prompted after a schizophrenic man committed suicide while in prison.
- This reform will prioritize mental health treatment in non-violent offenders.
On June 25, 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Tristin Murphy Act into law, marking a significant shift in Florida’s approach to handling individuals with mental illnesses within the criminal justice system.
The legislation, named after Tristin Murphy—a 37-year-old man with schizophrenia who tragically took his own life in a Florida prison in 2021—aims to prioritize mental health treatment over incarceration for non-violent offenders.
Tristin Murphy’s case garnered national attention after he was sentenced to prison for a littering offense and subsequently died by suicide while incarcerated.
His story highlighted systemic failures in addressing the mental health needs of individuals within the justice system.
In response, his family, particularly his mother, Cindee Murphy, has been a vocal advocate for reform, leading to the introduction of Senate Bill 168, known as the Tristin Murphy Act.
The new law mandates that individuals arrested for certain non-violent offenses undergo mental health screenings within 24 hours. If deemed necessary, they will be diverted to appropriate treatment programs rather than being incarcerated.
Additionally, the Tristin Murphy Act establishes the Florida Behavioral Health Care Data Repository to track mental health evaluations and outcomes, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement in the system.
Supporters of the legislation, including mental health advocates and lawmakers, view the Tristin Murphy Act as a crucial step toward reforming a system that has historically failed to adequately address the needs of individuals with mental illnesses. By focusing on treatment and rehabilitation, the law seeks to reduce recidivism, improve public safety, and provide a more humane approach to justice.
As the Tristin Murphy Act begins to take effect, it is expected to serve as a model for other states grappling with similar challenges in integrating mental health care into their criminal justice systems. The hope is that this legislation will not only honor Tristin Murphy’s memory but also lead to lasting change that prevents future tragedies.
For more information on the Tristin Murphy Act and its implementation, individuals are encouraged to visit the Florida Senate’s official website or contact local mental health advocacy organizations.
Sources:
Florida Senate Bill 168 – The Official “Tristin Murphy Act” Document
“‘Tristin Murphy Act’ to improve inmates’ access to mental health services”
Bill Summary CS/CS/SB 168 – Mental Health Diversion Summary – Florida Senate
Fox 35 Orlando – Coverage on Tristin Murphy Act & Related Bills
Florida Justice Institute – Advocacy & Lawsuit Background
LegiScan – Legislative Tracking for Florida SB 168
Wink News – Parents & Sheriff Prummell Speak in Support
CBS Miami – Legislative History and Quotes from Sponsors & Family
Nancy Schimelpfening is the founder of Depression Sanctuary. Unless otherwise stated, all of the content on Depression Sanctuary is written by and maintained by Nancy. Nancy has a master’s degree in community health education from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. She was the About.com (now Verywell.com) expert on depression from 1998-2016. She has also written for other online publications, including Healthline, Healthgrades Professional, Health Digest, and MindBodyGreen.
