H.B. 249 Summary

• Amends Ohio Revised Code sections 5122.01 and 5122.10 to modify the definition and criteria for involuntary mental health treatment of persons subject to court order.

• Reorganizes and renumbers criteria for determining when a person meets standards for involuntary treatment, including new subsection (6) addressing persons unlikely to survive safely in the community without supervision and with documented non-compliance with treatment.

• Requires additional documentation when transporting individuals believed to meet criteria under the reorganized subsection (5), including relevant mental health history information from providers, family members, or the person themselves.

• Allows general hospitals to admit and treat persons transported under emergency custody for up to 24 hours, with extended periods permitted if the person is medically unstable or no accepting mental health facility is available.

• Clarifies that individuals meeting only criteria in the reorganized subsection (6)(a) are not subject to involuntary hospitalization.