CHARLESTON, SC (WCBD) – A Lowcountry lawmaker is speaking out about legislation in the works to change the way mental health patients are transported in South Carolina.

It comes after Nicolette Green and Wendy Newtown drowned after the Horry County Sheriff’s van they were in was swept away by flood waters during Hurricane Florence.

The two women were being taken to a different medical facility by Horry County deputies at the time.

Lawmakers say they have drafted 2 proposals; one is modeled after the transportation unit in Charleston County. It would require law enforcement officers doing the transportation be trained in crisis intervention as part of a therapeutic transport unit.

“People with mental health challenges should not be treated like criminals,” said Lowcountry senator Marlon Kimpson. “They deserve the respect any other citizens we extend liberties and privileges to.”

The other proposal would require doctors to notify friends and family of mental health patients that they have the option to transport the patient themselves.