Assisted outpatient treatment program; established for severely mentally ill. (SB177)

Introduced By

Sen. Henry Marsh (D-Richmond) with support from co-patron Sen. Emmett Hanger (R-Mount Solon)

Description

Mental health; assisted outpatient treatment. Establishes a program of assisted outpatient treatment for the severely mentally ill. The bill authorizes assisted outpatient treatment for persons previously hospitalized due to noncompliance with prescribed psychiatric treatment, who would be likely to meet the criteria for inpatient commitment without treatment. The bill requires that a specific written treatment plan be prepared by the community services board that gives consideration to the treatment preferences of the individual and explicitly bars the forcible administration of medication. The bill also authorizes a magistrate to issue a temporary detention order for an individual who fails to comply with an outpatient treatment order without good cause. The bill limits the duration of the court order to 180 days or less, and provides the person with procedural protections, including the right to an adversary hearing, the right to counsel, the right to an appeal, and the right to a jury trial on appeal. Amends § 37.2-505 (“Coordination of services for preadmission screening and discharge planning.”), § 37.2-802 (“Interpreters in admission or certification proceedings.”), § 37.2-809 (“Involuntary temporary detention; issuance and execution of order.”), § 37.2-817 (“Involuntary admission and mandatory outpatient treatment orders.”), § 37.2-820 (“Place of hearing.”), § 37.2-821 (“Appeal of involuntary admission or certification order.”), of the Code of Virginia. View Full Text »

Outcome

1 vote