The law was named after Laura Wilcox , a mental health worker who was killed by a man who had refused psychiatric treatment . Modeled on Kendra 's Law , a similar statute enacted in New York , the bill was introduced as '' ' Assembly Bill 1421 ' '' by Assemblywoman Helen Thomson , a Democrat from Davis . The measure passed the California Legislature in 2002 and was signed into law by Governor Gray Davis . The statute can only be used in counties that choose to enact outpatient commitment programs based on the measure . As of 2010 , Nevada County has fully implemented the law and Los Angeles County has a pilot project . In 2010 the California State Association of Counties chose Nevada County to receive its Challenge Award for implementing Laura 's Law . Subsequently , in 2011 , a National Association of Counties Achievement Award in Health was awarded to Nevada County for the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program
killed by a man
2001 Nevada County shootings
Laura's Law