The National Assembly adopted, on Wednesday April 15, at first reading a series of articles of a controversial bill which aims to prevent the risk of attack. The text, intended to fill the “blind spots” of the law, creates confusion between radicalization and psychological disorders according to mental health experts, and is denounced as dangerous for fundamental freedoms by the left.
“The bill presented to you (…) aims to adapt the law to new terrorist profiles, who are increasingly experiencing online radicalization and psychiatric disorders. Since 2023, of the 43 individuals involved in jihadist attack plans in France, 10 of them had psychiatric disorders, including two of the four perpetrators of fatal attacks.notes Renaissance MP Charles Rodwell, in the introduction to his bill, which will be the subject of a global vote on May 5.
Examining his articles, the deputies validated the creation at first reading of a “ psychiatric examination order » at the hand of the prefect, who may, to prevent terrorist acts, force certain people to submit to a psychiatric examination. People affected by this constraint must adhere to “ to theories inciting or advocating acts of terrorism”and having had “actions likely to be in whole or in part linked to mental disorders”. Based on the post-examination medical certificate, the prefect may order compulsory hospitalization. Charles Rodwell stressed that in the event of refusal to undergo the examination, it would be up to a judge to authorize or not the procedure. He may also authorize the police to go to the person’s home to take him to a psychiatrist.
“Terrorist security detention”
The Assembly also approved a “terrorist security detention”allowing convicted people to be placed in a care center after their sentence, as is already the case for certain crimes. Another article aims to prevent acts of people, sentenced to a sentence of at least ten years, and who present at the end of their sentence a “particularly dangerous” with“a very high probability of committing a terrorist act”because they would have been radicalized in prison. A court could take several actions, including “ health, social, educational, psychological or psychiatric » with a view to reintegration. He could prohibit practicing “ an activity » in which “ a terrorist act is particularly likely to be committed« .
“Legislative drift”
Throughout the examination of article 1, adopted by 79 votes to 51, the left denounced “the amalgam” between radicalization and mental health. Furthermore, in a joint press release published on February 10, 2026, a collective of twenty-six organizations of mental health professionals already denounced “a legislative drift”and recalling “ that to date no study shows a link between mental illness and terrorism« . The signatories also emphasize that the current legislative arsenal already allows compulsory hospitalization for people whose dangerousness is linked to a proven pathology. The collective fears that such a measure would exploit psychiatry as a simple tool for managing public security or migration policy, to the detriment of its primary mission of care.
In terms of application, experts warn of the ineffectiveness of a course of care imposed on individuals under Obligation to leave French territory (OQTF), because the uncertainty linked to imminent expulsion would make any therapeutic work incoherent. They believe that this bill offers symbolic responses. In conclusion, field professionals and researchers reaffirm their desire to collaborate with the legislator to develop an efficient health framework, but refuse to allow their discipline to be diverted for political purposes.
The continuation of the examination and the solemn vote are planned for Tuesday, May 5, 2026 after questions to the Government.
Learn more:
• Report on the proposed law of Mr. Charles Rodwell and several of his colleagues aimed at strengthening security, administrative detention and preventing the risk of attack (2180), no. 2468, filed on Wednesday February 11, 2026.
• “Extension of psychiatric care without consent for radicalized people: a legislative drift creating confusion between psychiatric illness and radicalization and going against the recommendations of good medical practices of the HAS”, press release of February 10, 2026.
