Despite some vocal opposition along the way, Kendra's Law appears to be heading toward City Council approval, possibly as soon as next week.

A committee that includes five of the council's nine members signed off on the bill Monday, sending it to the full council for a vote.

And while under normal procedure, the bill would have come up at the Oct. 4 meeting, Councilor Ken Sanchez moved to speed up the process to next Monday.

"I believe this bill is too important to delay this any longer," he said.

The bill, which is supported by Mayor Martin Chavez, would allow courts to force mentally ill patients into outpatient treatment programs in some limited circumstances. The proposal comes after an incident last year, when a man diagnosed with schizophrenia was charged with shooting to death five people in a day. John Hyde is in a state mental health institution, awaiting a court decision on how his case will proceed.

Supporters of Kendra's Law say it would have the practical effect of helping people who are a danger to themselves or others. But opponents argue that such mandated treatment amounts to little more than a quick fix to a broken mental health care system in desperate need of more money.

That the system needs attention proved a bipartisan sentiment Monday, but Councilor Don Harris lamented that the issue hasn't gained much traction, probably, he said, because mentally ill people don't vote in great numbers.

He read from Monday's meeting agenda, listing other items councilors had voted to spend money on. The bullet summary included everything from parks to railroad crossings, but nothing for mental health.

"We have got to make this a priority," Harris said.