SB 1499 Summary

• Amends the Mental Health Law (43A O.S.) to establish definitions and procedures for "assisted outpatient treatment," allowing courts to order outpatient mental health services as an alternative to hospitalization.

• Defines "assisted outpatient" as an adult with mental illness who meets specific criteria, including a history of non-compliance with treatment, unlikely to survive safely in the community without supervision, and likely to benefit from assisted outpatient treatment.

• Requires licensed mental health professionals to develop written treatment plans before courts can order assisted outpatient treatment, with court approval and regular annual reviews of ongoing necessity.

• Establishes initial assisted outpatient treatment orders for one year with provisions for extensions and allows courts to convert to involuntary hospitalization if the person fails to comply or treatment becomes insufficient.

• Effective November 1, 2014, and authorizes the Board of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to certify outpatient treatment programs beginning July 1, 2015.