NY A09669

Clarifies that involuntary hospital care is essential when a person's mental illness impairs their judgment about needing care and treatment, and when the illness is likely to result in serious harm in the absence of hospitalization.

Defines "likely to result in serious harm" to include substantial risk of physical or mental harm through suicide attempts, inability to meet basic needs for food/clothing/shelter/medical care, dangerous conduct, or violent behavior placing others in reasonable fear of serious physical harm.

Requires evaluation of likelihood of serious harm to include consideration of credible reports of recent behavior and relevant medical and behavioral history.

Revises definition of "need for retention" to require consideration of whether a person is prepared, with appropriate support, to adhere to essential outpatient treatment before continuing involuntary hospitalization.

Takes effect 60 days after enactment.