HB 1697 Summary

• Establishes "assisted outpatient treatment" as a court-ordered mental health intervention for individuals 18+ with mental illness who meet specific criteria, including history of noncompliance with treatment and risk of deterioration without supervision.

• Creates procedures for assisted outpatient treatment petitions and hearings using the same processes as involuntary commitment, with initial court orders valid for one year and renewable upon petition.

• Requires licensed mental health professionals to develop written treatment plans with court approval before ordering assisted outpatient treatment, with plans including medication management, therapy, monitoring, and other clinical services.

• Permits courts to order assisted outpatients to take prescribed psychotropic drugs and allows for enforcement through protective custody or involuntary hospitalization if treatment compliance fails after compliance efforts.

• Effective date: November 1, 2016.