SB 199 Summary

• Mandates the family court appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the best interests of individuals subject to assisted community treatment (ACT) petitions throughout all judicial proceedings.

• Requires notice of ACT hearings be served on the appointed guardian ad litem and specifies their name and contact information must be included in hearing notices to the subject of the petition.

• Eliminates the mandatory role of the public defender in ACT proceedings, removing language requiring public defender representation and allowing subjects to obtain their own legal counsel if desired.

• Applies the guardian ad litem appointment requirement to all ACT-related petitions including initial petitions, petitions for continued treatment, and petitions for discharge.

• Takes effect May 1, 2029.