H.B. 1503 Summary

• Requires the Department of Health to respond to reports about persons with severe mental illness and assess whether they meet criteria for assisted community treatment (ACT) orders, then initiate ACT proceedings if criteria are met.

• Mandates the Department of Health to track and publish monthly data on mental health crisis reports, emergency transports, ACT evaluations, ACT petitions, court orders for treatment, administrative orders for treatment, and involuntary hospitalization petitions, with specific details on disposition and timelines.

• Authorizes courts dismissing involuntary hospitalization petitions to assess whether the person meets ACT criteria and order assisted community treatment with medication if appropriate conditions are met, including designation of a mental health facility responsible for care coordination.

• Requires the Department of the Attorney General to assist with preparation and filing of ACT petitions and related court proceedings, unless the petitioner (if private) declines assistance.

• Appropriates $100,000 for fiscal year 2023-2024 to the Department of Health for software and website development to support data collection and publication on mental health crises; effective July 1, 2023.