LEON COUNTY CLERK OF COURT
OPERATING POLICY AND PROCEDURE MANUAL
COURTS DEPARTMENT
Policy # 4-1
TOPIC: MECOM
EFFECTIVE DATE:
07/22/2014
REVISION DATE:
I.
APPROVED BY:
Gypsy Bailey
PURPOSE
A. To submit accurate and complete MECOM data at
http://mecom.flcjn.net/MentalComp/ by the 15th of every month.
B. To handle petitions for relief from firearms disability consistently.
II. HISTORY
A. In 2006, the Florida Legislature passed HB 151, which required Clerks for the first
time to submit to FDLE records of persons who have adjudications of mental
defectiveness or commitments to mental institutions, within 1 month after the
rendition of the adjudication or commitment. This bill also required FDLE to create
and maintain a database of persons who are disqualified from purchasing a firearm
as a result of being adjudicated mentally defective or committed to a mental
institution. The Mental Competency (MECOM) database was established in February
2007 and is accessed as a part of the screening of potential firearm purchasers in
Florida and by the FBI National Instant Check System. It is also used by the
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in the evaluation of persons who
are applying for concealed weapon permits.
B. In 2013, the Florida Legislature passed House Bill (HB) 1355 that took effect on July
1, 2013. It provides conditions under which an individual who has been allowed to
transfer to voluntary status in lieu of court-ordered involuntary commitment after
being admitted for involuntary examination at a Baker Act receiving facility and is
certified by a physician to be of imminent danger, may be prohibited from
purchasing firearms or retaining or applying for a concealed weapon or firearms
license. This bill amended FS 790.065(2)(a)4.c.
III. REFERENCES
A. FS 394.463 (involuntary examination)
B. FS 394.467 (involuntary inpatient placement)
C. FS 397.6811 (involuntary assessment and stabilization)
D. FS 397.693 (involuntary treatment)
E. FS 790.065
F. FAQs - http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Content/getdoc/7f08f726-a5ac-4770-93e00785c31262ef/MECOMFAQs_Final_06022014.aspx
G. FDLE’s PowerPoint presentation, Mental Health Firearms Disqualifiers http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Content/getdoc/8463857d-e5a0-4f34-9e80ae9216c0963a/HB1355TrainingPresentation_06022014.aspx
Page 1 of 2
IV. FORMS: G/Courts Department/Petition for Relief from Firearm Disability packet.docx
(packet prepared by FDLE workgroup).
V. PROCESS
A. After receiving a Finding and Certification by an Examining Physician of Person’s
Imminent Dangerousness, create case using one of the appropriate case types used
for SRS but insure that it is a non-reporting SRS case, based on 02/14 instructions
from OSCA; the case should be captured for CCOC workload reporting purposes
only. Selections: s. 394.463 Involuntary examination; s. 394.467 Involuntary
inpatient placement; s. 397.6811 Involuntary assessment and stabilization; and s.
397.693 Involuntary treatment.
B. Verify that the required demographics for identification purposes are submitted. If
items are missing, email the facility for the information so that the office can comply
with FDLE reporting requirements.
C. Within 24 hours of receiving the finding/certification, submit the case to the court
for review. Note: A person who has been involuntarily examined per court order
may be subject to a petition for involuntary commitment and may consent to
voluntary treatment to avoid an involuntary commitment. This person could be
subject to the filing of a Finding and Certification by an Examining Physician of
Person’s Imminent Dangerousness, triggering our duty to process within 24-hours.
D. If the court enters an order of dangerousness, report to FDLE, using FS 790.065 as
the basis for reporting, the report name, sex, DOB, UCN and any other known
identifiers (SSN, DL, last known address, etc.).
E. Report a commitment or adjudication within 1 month, including the name, known
alias or former name, gender, the date of birth, and race, into the MECOM database
to assist FDLE with the identification of an individual prohibited from purchasing a
firearm. If the facility did not comply with B above, proceed with data entry into
MECOM as best as you can, e.g., using 010101 for date of birth.
F. After data entry into MECOM, insure an appropriate docket entry has been made on
the case, using MECO as the docket code (order entered in MECOM).
G. If a petition for relief from firearm disability is filed in a Leon County case, reopen
the case without charging a reopen fee and docket the petition as PRFD.
H. Docket the order from the judge as OPRF, regardless of whether it grants or denies
the motion. If the court grants the motion, provide a copy of the order to FDLE by
email so that the FDLE can delete the mental health record from MECOM. Copy of
order should be emailed to MECOM@fdle.state.fl.us
I. If a petitioner seeks the return of firearms, but has no Leon County case in which to
file a petition, he shall be directed to Chapter 78 of the Florida Statutes, which
provide the requirements for the complaint and other details.
Page 2 of 2