HI SB709

Department of Health must respond to reports of individuals with severe mental illness needing assistance, assess whether they meet criteria for assisted community treatment, and coordinate the petition process for court-ordered treatment plans when appropriate.

Courts must notify the Department of Health within 24 hours when a petition for involuntary commitment is denied, triggering an evaluation of the individual for assisted community treatment as an alternative.

Director of Law Enforcement must adopt rules establishing statewide training and certification standards for crisis intervention officers who respond to individuals experiencing mental health crises.

Expands the definition of "assisted community treatment" to explicitly include medication, blood/urinalysis testing for compliance, residential services, alcohol and substance abuse treatment, and case management services.

Department of the Attorney General must assist with preparing, filing, and presenting requests for court or administrative authorization to provide treatment over a patient's objection, with an effective date of December 31, 2050.