20180106ua

Session of 2018

No. 2018-106

 

HB 1233

 

AN ACT

 

Amending the act of July 9, 1976 (P.L.817, No.143), entitled "An act relating to mental health procedures; providing for the treatment and rights of mentally disabled persons, for voluntary and involuntary examination and treatment and for determinations affecting those charged with crime or under sentence," in general provisions, further providing for scope of act, providing for definitions, further providing for treatment facilities and for individualized treatment plan and providing for assisted outpatient treatment implementation by counties and for assisted outpatient treatment implementation by department; in involuntary examination and treatment, further providing for persons subject, for involuntary emergency examination and treatment authorized by physician, for persons for whom application may be made and for additional periods of court-ordered involuntary treatment; and adding provisions relating to assisted outpatient treatment.

 

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

 

20180106u1s

Section 1.  Section 103 of the act of July 9, 1976 (P.L.817, No.143), known as the Mental Health Procedures Act, is amended to read:

Section 103.  Scope of Act.--This act establishes rights and procedures for all involuntary treatment of mentally ill persons, whether inpatient or outpatient, and for all voluntary inpatient treatment of mentally ill persons. ["Inpatient treatment" shall include all treatment that requires full or part-time residence in a facility. For the purpose of this act, a "facility" means any mental health establishment, hospital, clinic, institution, center, day care center, base service unit, community mental health center, or part thereof, that provides for the diagnosis, treatment, care or rehabilitation of mentally ill persons, whether as outpatients or inpatients.]

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Section 2.  The act is amended by adding a section to read:

Section 103.1.  Definitions.--The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Assisted outpatient treatment."  Community-based outpatient social, medical and behavioral health treatment services ordered by a court for a severely mentally disabled person, which may include one or more of the following services:

(1)  Community psychiatric supportive treatment.

(2)  Assertive community treatment.

(3)  Medications.

(4)  Individual or group therapy.

(5)  Peer support services.

(6)  Financial services.

(7)  Housing or supervised living services.

(8)  Alcohol or substance abuse treatments when the treatment is a co-occurring condition for a person with a primary diagnosis of mental health illness.

(9)  Any other service prescribed to treat the person's mental illness that either assists the person in living and functioning in the community or helps to prevent a relapse or a deterioration of the person's condition that would be likely to result in a substantial risk of serious harm to the person or others.

"County local authority."  The county commissioners of a county, or the city councils and the mayors of the first class cities, or two or more of these acting in concert.

"Department."  The Department of Human Services of the Commonwealth.

"Facility."  A mental health establishment, hospital, clinic, institution, center, day care center, base service unit, community mental health center, or part thereof, that provides for the diagnosis, treatment, care or rehabilitation of mentally ill persons, whether as outpatients or inpatients.

"Inpatient treatment."  All treatment that requires full or part-time residence in a facility.

"Qualified professional."  A mental health professional who:

(1)  has a graduate degree, or the international equivalent, from an institution accredited or evaluated by an organization recognized by the department in a generally recognized clinical discipline that includes mental health clinical experience;

(2)  has mental health clinical experience; and

(3)  is licensed or certified by the Commonwealth.

"Secretary."  The Secretary of Human Services of the Commonwealth.

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Section 3.  Sections 105 and 107 of the act are amended to read:

Section 105.  Treatment Facilities.--Involuntary treatment and voluntary treatment funded in whole or in part by public moneys shall be available at a facility approved for such purposes by the county administrator (who shall be the County Mental Health and Mental Retardation Administrator of a county or counties, or his duly authorized delegate), or by the [Department of Public Welfare, hereinafter cited as the "department."] department. Approval of facilities shall be made by the appropriate authority which can be the department pursuant to regulations adopted by the department. Treatment may be ordered at the Veterans Administration or other agency of the United States upon receipt of a certificate that the person is eligible for such hospitalization or treatment and that there is available space for his care. Mental health facilities operated under the direct control of the Veterans Administration or other Federal agency are exempt from obtaining State approval. The department's standards for approval shall be at least as stringent as those of the joint commission for accreditation of hospitals and those of the Federal Government pursuant to Titles 18 and 19 of the Federal Social Security Act to the extent that the type of facility is one in which those standards are intended to apply. An exemption from the standards may be granted by the department for a period not in excess of one year and may be renewed. Notice of each exemption and the rationale for allowing the exemption must be published pursuant to the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.769, No.240), known as the "Commonwealth Documents Law," and shall be prominently posted at the entrance to the main office and in the reception areas of the facility.

Section 107.  Individualized Treatment Plan.--(a)  Individualized treatment plan means a plan of treatment formulated for a particular person in a program appropriate to his specific needs, including an assisted outpatient treatment plan under subsection (b). To the extent possible, the plan shall be made with the cooperation, understanding and consent of the person in treatment, and shall impose the least restrictive alternative consistent with affording the person adequate treatment for his condition.

(b)  Assisted outpatient treatment plan means an individualized treatment plan developed by a qualified professional or the treatment team that is ordered by a court for involuntary outpatient civil commitment of a person. The treatment plan shall be reviewed and approved by a psychiatrist or a licensed clinical psychologist prior to submission to the court. The treatment plan shall contain the reasonable objectives and goals for a person determined to be in need of assisted outpatient treatment. In addition to the requirements of subsection (a), the treatment plan shall include:

(1)  Delineation of specific assisted outpatient treatment services to be provided based on the person's specific needs.

(2)  Delineation of the providers that agree to provide assisted outpatient treatment services to the person.

(3)  Documentation of how the person was involved in the initial development of the treatment plan and the process for involving the person in ongoing evaluation and, if appropriate, modifications to the treatment plan.

(c)  A treatment plan developed in accordance with this section shall meet all of the requirements of this act.

(d)  In the development and approval of an individualized treatment plan, nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require a county to include in a person's individual treatment plan for assisted outpatient treatment a service that is not available in that county or for which no funding source or provider is available to pay for or render the service.

20180106u4s

Section 4.  The act is amended by adding sections to read:

Section 117.  Assisted Outpatient Treatment Implementation by Counties.--(a)  (1)  The county administrator of any county may determine annually that the county mental health and intellectual disabilities program will not provide assisted outpatient treatment pursuant to section 301(c). The county administrator making the determination shall:

(i)  provide notice to the secretary that the county program will not provide assisted outpatient treatment in accordance with section 301(c); and

(ii)  notify the county local authority of the decision not to offer assisted outpatient treatment in accordance with section 301(c).

(2)  The notification to the secretary under clause (1) shall be submitted annually in a form determined by the secretary.

(b)  The secretary shall grant an annual waiver to any county that has notified the secretary under subsection (a) of the county's decision not to offer assisted outpatient services pursuant to section 301(c).

(c)  Nothing in this section shall be construed as permitting a county or the secretary to waive existing obligations of a county to serve seriously mentally ill residents in accordance with all other applicable provisions of law and regulation.

Section 118.  Assisted Outpatient Treatment Implementation by Department.--(a)  The department shall modify the standard involuntary commitment petition forms and other relevant educational documents used in conjunction with the involuntary commitment process to describe, define and incorporate assisted outpatient treatment.

(b)  The department shall develop a separate involuntary assisted outpatient treatment commitment petition form which shall include:

(1)  The eligibility criteria for assisted outpatient treatment.

(2)  After consultation with the Pennsylvania College of Emergency Physicians, appropriate guidance and instructions to the petitioner on use of hospital emergency departments in conjunction with the petition process for involuntary inpatient commitment or assisted outpatient treatment.

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Section 5.  Section 301(a) of the act is amended and the section is amended by adding a subsection to read:

Section 301.  Persons Who May be Subject to Involuntary Emergency Examination and Treatment.--(a)  Persons Subject.--Whenever a person is severely mentally disabled and in need of immediate treatment, he may be made subject to involuntary emergency examination and treatment. A person is severely mentally disabled when, as a result of mental illness, his capacity to exercise self-control, judgment and discretion in the conduct of his affairs and social relations or to care for his own personal needs is so lessened that he poses a clear and present danger of harm to others or to himself, as defined in subsection (b), or the person is determined to be in need of assisted outpatient treatment as defined in subsection (c).

* * *

(c)  Determination of Need for Assisted Outpatient Treatment.--(1)  The need for assisted outpatient treatment shall be shown by establishing by clear and convincing evidence that the person would benefit from assisted outpatient treatment as manifested by evidence of behavior that indicates all of the following:

(i)  The person is unlikely to survive safely in the community without supervision, based on a clinical determination.

(ii)  The person has a history of lack of voluntary adherence to treatment for mental illness and one of the following applies:

(A)  Within the 12 months prior to the filing of a petition seeking assisted outpatient treatment, the person's failure to adhere to treatment has been a significant factor in necessitating involuntary inpatient hospitalization or receipt of services in a forensic or other mental health unit of a correctional facility, provided that the 12-month period shall be extended by the length of any hospitalization or incarceration of the person in a correctional institution that occurred within the 12-month period.

(B)  Within the 48 months prior to the filing of a petition seeking court-ordered assisted outpatient treatment, the person's failure to adhere to treatment resulted in one or more acts of serious violent behavior toward others or himself or threats of, or attempts at, serious physical harm to others or himself, provided that the 48-month period shall be extended by the length of any hospitalization or incarceration of the person in a correctional institution that occurred within the 48-month period.

(iii)  The person, as a result of the person's mental illness, is unlikely to voluntarily participate in necessary treatment and the person previously has been offered voluntary treatment services but has not accepted or has refused to participate on a sustained basis in voluntary treatment, provided that voluntary agreement to enter into services by a person during the pendency of a petition for assisted outpatient treatment shall not preclude the court from ordering assisted outpatient treatment for that person if reasonable evidence exists to believe that the person is unlikely to make a voluntary sustained commitment to and remain in a treatment program.

(iv)  Based on the person's treatment history and current behavior, the person is in need of treatment in order to prevent a relapse or deterioration that would be likely to result in substantial risk of serious harm to others or himself.

(2)  An individual who meets only the criteria described in clause (1) shall not be subject to involuntary inpatient hospitalization unless a separate determination is made that the individual poses a clear and present danger in accordance with subsection (b).

20180106u6s

Section 6.  Sections 302(b) and 303(c)(1) of the act are amended to read:

Section 302.  Involuntary Emergency Examination and Treatment Authorized by a Physician - Not to Exceed One Hundred Twenty Hours.--* * *

(b)  Examination and Determination of Need for Emergency Treatment.--A person taken to a facility shall be examined by a physician within two hours of arrival in order to determine if the person is severely mentally disabled within the meaning of section [301] 301(b) and in need of immediate treatment. If it is determined that the person is severely mentally disabled and in need of emergency treatment, treatment shall be begun immediately. If the physician does not so find, or if at any time it appears there is no longer a need for immediate treatment, the person shall be discharged and returned to such place as he may reasonably direct. The physician shall make a record of the examination and his findings. In no event shall a person be accepted for involuntary emergency treatment if a previous application was granted for such treatment and the new application is not based on behavior occurring after the earlier application.

* * *

Section 303.  Extended Involuntary Emergency Treatment Certified by a Judge or Mental Health Review Officer - Not to Exceed Twenty Days.--* * *

(c)  Informal Conference on Extended Emergency Treatment Application.--(1)  At the commencement of the informal conference, the judge or the mental health review officer shall inform the person of the nature of the proceedings. Information relevant to whether the person is severely mentally disabled and in need of treatment shall be reviewed, including the reasons that continued involuntary treatment is considered necessary. Such explanation shall be made by a physician who examined the person and shall be in terms understandable to a layman. The judge or mental health review officer may review any relevant information even if it would be normally excluded under rules of evidence if he believes that such information is reliable. The person or his representative shall have the right to ask questions of the physician and of any other witnesses and to present any relevant information. At the conclusion of the review, if the judge or the review officer finds that the person is severely mentally disabled and in need of continued involuntary treatment, either as an inpatient or through less restrictive assisted outpatient treatment, he shall so certify. Otherwise, he shall direct that the facility director or his designee discharge the person.

* * *

20180106u7s

Section 7.  Section 304(a), (e), (f) and (g) of the act are amended and the section is amended by adding subsections to read:

Section 304.  Court-ordered Involuntary Treatment Not to Exceed Ninety Days.--(a)  Persons for Whom Application May be Made.--(1)  A person who is severely mentally disabled and in need of treatment, as defined in section 301(a), may be made subject to court-ordered involuntary treatment upon a determination of clear and present danger under section 301(b)(1) (serious bodily harm to others), or section 301(b)(2)(i) (inability to care for himself, creating a danger of death or serious harm to himself), or 301(b)(2)(ii) (attempted suicide), or 301(b)(2)(iii) (self-mutilation), or upon determination that a person meets the requirements under section 301(c) (determination of need for assisted outpatient treatment).

(2)  Where a petition is filed for a person already subject to involuntary treatment, it shall be sufficient to represent, and upon hearing to reestablish, that the conduct originally required by section [301] 301(b) in fact occurred, and that his condition continues to evidence a clear and present danger to himself or others, or that the conduct originally required by section 301(c) in fact occurred and that his condition continues to evidence a need for assisted outpatient treatment. In such event, it shall not be necessary to show the reoccurrence of dangerous conduct, either harmful or debilitating, within the past 30 days.

* * *

(c.1)  Procedures for Initiating Assisted Outpatient Treatment for Persons Already Subject to Involuntary Treatment.--(1)  Petition for assisted outpatient treatment for persons already subject to involuntary treatment under section 301(b)(1) or (2), or persons with mental illness subject to treatment in a forensic facility or a correctional institution who are ready for release, may be made by the county administrator or the director of the facility to the court of common pleas.

(2)  The petition shall be in writing upon a form adopted by the department and shall include a statement of the facts constituting reasonable grounds to believe that the person is:

(i)  No longer determined to be in need of involuntary inpatient treatment under section 301(b)(1) or (2) or no longer subject to treatment in a forensic facility or correctional institution.

(ii)  Determined to be in need of assisted outpatient treatment under section 301(c).

(3)  The petition shall state the name of any examining psychiatrist or licensed clinical psychologist and the substance of his opinion regarding the mental condition of the person. It shall also state that the person has been given the information required by subsection (b)(3).

(4)  Upon the filing of the petition, the county administrator shall serve a copy on the person, his attorney and those designated to be kept informed, as provided in section 302(c), including an explanation of the nature of the proceedings, the person's right to an attorney and the services of an expert in the field of mental health, as provided by subsection (d).

(5)  A hearing on the petition shall be held in all cases not more than five days after the filing of the petition.

(6)  Treatment shall be permitted to be maintained pending the determination of the petition.

(c.2)  Procedures for Initiating Assisted Outpatient Treatment for Persons Not in Involuntary Treatment.--(1)  Any responsible party may file a petition in the court of common pleas requesting assisted outpatient treatment for any person determined under section 301(c) to be in need of assisted outpatient treatment, who is not already in involuntary treatment and who is not already in assisted outpatient treatment for whom application could be made under subsection (a).

(2)  The petition shall be in writing upon a form adopted by the department and shall set forth facts constituting reasonable grounds to believe that the person is within the criteria as defined under section 301(c) for a person in need of assisted outpatient treatment. The petition shall be accompanied by a statement of a psychiatrist, or a statement signed by a clinical licensed psychologist stating that the clinician who issued the statement has examined the person and is of the opinion that the person is in need of assisted outpatient treatment, or shall be accompanied by a written statement by the applicant, under oath, that the person has refused to submit to an examination by a psychiatrist or by a clinical licensed psychologist.

(3)  Upon a determination that the petition sets forth reasonable cause, the court shall appoint an attorney to represent the person and set a date for the hearing as soon as practicable. The attorney shall represent the person unless it shall appear that he can afford, and desires to have, private representation.

(4)  The court, by summons, shall direct the person to appear for a hearing. The court may issue a warrant directing an individual authorized by the county administrator or a peace officer to bring such person before the court at the time of the hearing if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the person will not appear voluntarily. A copy of the petition shall be served on such person at least three days before the hearing together with a notice advising him that an attorney has been appointed who shall represent him unless he obtains an attorney himself, that he has a right to be assisted in the proceedings by an expert in the field of mental health and that he may request or be made subject to psychiatric examination under clause (5).

(5)  Upon motion of either the petitioner or the person, or upon its own motion, the court may order the person to be examined by a psychiatrist or other qualified professional appointed by the court, provided that:

(i)  a qualified professional who is appointed by the court and is not a psychiatrist or licensed clinical psychologist shall be selected from a panel of qualified professionals specifically designated by the county administrator for the qualified professional's demonstrated expertise and ability to conduct court-ordered examinations for assisted outpatient treatment consistent with the qualified professional's scope of practice;

(ii)  the examination shall be conducted on an outpatient basis and the person shall have the right to have counsel present;

(iii)  the written report prepared by the qualified professional under subclause (i) shall be reviewed and approved by a psychiatrist or a licensed clinical psychologist prior to submission to the court; and

(iv)  the written report on the results of the examination shall be given to the court and counsel at least 48 hours prior to the hearing.

(6)  Involuntary treatment shall not be authorized during the pendency of a petition except in accordance with sections 302 and 303.

* * *

(e)  Hearings on Petition for Court-ordered Involuntary Treatment.--A hearing on a petition for court-ordered involuntary treatment shall be conducted according to the following:

(1)  The person shall have the right to counsel and to the assistance of an expert in mental health.

(2)  The person shall not be called as a witness without his consent.

(3)  The person shall have the right to confront and cross-examine all witnesses and to present evidence in his own behalf.

(4)  The hearing shall be public unless it is requested to be private by the person or his counsel.

(5)  A stenographic or other sufficient record shall be made, which shall be impounded by the court and may be obtained or examined only upon the request of the person or his counsel or by order of the court on good cause shown.

(6)  The hearing shall be conducted by a judge or by a mental health review officer and may be held at a location other than a courthouse when doing so appears to be in the best interest of the person.

(7)  A decision shall be rendered within 48 hours after the close of evidence.

(8)  If the person is believed to be in need of assisted outpatient treatment in accordance with section 301(c), a hearing on the petition shall be conducted in accordance with the following additional requirements:

(i)  No later than the date of the hearing, a treatment team shall provide a written proposed assisted outpatient treatment plan to the court. The plan shall state all treatment services recommended for the person and, for each service, shall specify a provider that has agreed to provide the service.

(ii)  In developing a written proposed assisted outpatient treatment plan, the treatment team shall take into account, if existing, an advance directive for mental health treatment and provide the following persons with an opportunity to participate:

(A)  the person believed to be in need of court-ordered assistant outpatient treatment;

(B)  all current treating providers;

(C)  upon the request of the person believed to be in need of court-ordered assistant outpatient treatment, an individual significant to the person, including any relative, close friend or individual otherwise concerned with the welfare of the person; and

(D)  any authorized guardian or other surrogate decision-maker.

(iii)  The written proposed assisted outpatient treatment plan shall include case management services or an assertive community treatment team to provide care coordination and assisted outpatient treatment services recommended by the treatment team. If the plan includes medication, the prescribing physician's order shall state whether such medication should be self-administered or administered by a specified provider. In no event shall the plan recommend the use of physical force or restraints to administer medication to the person.

(iv)  A qualified professional, who has personally examined the person within ten days of the filing of the petition, shall provide testimony in support of the finding that the person meets all of the criteria for assisted outpatient treatment and in support of a written proposed treatment plan developed pursuant to this section, including:

(A)  the recommended assisted outpatient treatment, the rationale for the recommended assisted outpatient treatment and the facts that establish that such treatment is the least restrictive appropriate alternative;

(B)  information regarding the person's access to, and the availability of, recommended assisted outpatient treatment in the community or elsewhere; and

(C)  if the recommended assisted outpatient treatment includes medication, the types or classes of medication that should be authorized, the beneficial and detrimental physical and mental effects of such medication and whether such medication should be self-administered or administered by a specified provider and the ongoing process for management of such medications in response to changes in the person's medical condition.

(9)  A decision shall be rendered within 48 hours after the close of evidence.

(f)  Determination and Order.--(1)  Upon a finding by clear and convincing evidence that the person is severely mentally disabled and in need of treatment and subject to subsection (a), an order shall be entered directing treatment of the person in an approved facility as an inpatient or an outpatient, or a combination of such treatment as the director of the facility shall from time to time determine. Inpatient treatment shall be deemed appropriate only after full consideration has been given to less restrictive alternatives, including assisted outpatient treatment. Investigation of treatment alternatives shall include consideration of the person's relationship to his community and family, his employment possibilities, all available community resources, and guardianship services. An order for inpatient treatment shall include findings on this issue.

(2)  If the person is found to be in need of assisted outpatient treatment in accordance with section 301(c) or as a result of consideration of less restrictive settings under clause (1), the court shall order the person to receive assisted outpatient treatment for a period not to exceed 90 days from any provider or facility approved by the department or the county administrator for purposes of providing assisted outpatient treatment, provided that a jail or any other State or county correctional institution shall not be an authorized facility.

(3)  The facility or provider shall examine and treat the person in accordance with the assisted outpatient treatment plan. If the person is receiving assisted outpatient treatment, or receives treatment in an outpatient setting during a subsequent period of continued commitment under section 305, the facility or provider to whom the person is ordered shall determine the appropriate assisted outpatient treatment plan for the person.

(4)  If the approved court-ordered assisted outpatient treatment plan includes medications, the court order shall authorize the treatment team, in accordance with their professional judgment and under supervision of the prescribing physician, to perform routine medication management, including adjustment of specific medications and doses, in consultation with the person and as warranted by changes in the person's medical condition.

(5)  The provider or facility responsible for the assisted outpatient treatment plan shall inform the court if the person fails materially to adhere to the treatment plan and comply with the court order. If the court receives information that a patient is not complying with the court's order, the court may take any of the following actions:

(i)  set a modification hearing to assess the person's failure to adhere to the assisted outpatient treatment plan;

(ii)  amend the assisted outpatient treatment plan to foster adherence to necessary treatment by the person; or

(iii)  issue an order for the person to be examined in accordance with section 302 for purposes of evaluation and, if appropriate, file a petition that the person poses a clear and present danger under section 301(b), provided that a State or county correctional institution may not be considered an authorized treatment facility.

(6)  If the court determines under clause (5) that the person has failed to adhere to the assisted outpatient treatment plan, the court may not hold that person in contempt or otherwise sanction the person solely based on the failure to comply with the assisted outpatient treatment plan.

(7)  The person subject to assisted outpatient treatment may petition the court for enforcement of a service specifically contained in that person's individualized treatment plan, provided that the petition must include clear and convincing evidence demonstrating that the service is not being provided in accordance with that plan.

(8)  A copy of the person's individualized treatment plan and related documents shall be made available to the court for purposes of proceedings under clause (5) or (7).

(g)  Duration of Court-ordered Involuntary Treatment.--(1)  A person may be made subject to court-ordered involuntary treatment under this section for a period not to exceed 90 days, excepting only that: Persons may be made subject to court-ordered involuntary treatment under this section for a period not to exceed one year if:

(i)  the person meets the criteria established by clause (2)[.]; and

(ii)  the person may be subject to assisted outpatient treatment for a period not to exceed 180 days if the person meets the criteria established by clause (5).

(2)  A person may be subject to court-ordered involuntary treatment for a period not to exceed one year if:

(i)  severe mental disability is based on acts giving rise to the following charges under the Pennsylvania Crimes Code: murder (§ 2502); voluntary manslaughter (§ 2503); aggravated assault (§ 2702); kidnapping (§ 2901); rape (§ 3121(1) and (2)); involuntary deviate sexual intercourse (§ 3123(1) and (2)); arson (§ 3301); and

(ii)  a finding of incompetency to be tried or a verdict of acquittal because of lack of criminal responsibility has been entered.

(3)  If at any time the director of a facility concludes that the person is not severely mentally disabled or in need of treatment pursuant to subsection (a), he shall discharge the person provided that no person subjected to involuntary treatment pursuant to clause (2) may be discharged without a hearing conducted pursuant to clause (4).

(4)  In cases involving involuntary treatment pursuant to clause (2), whenever the period of court-ordered involuntary treatment is about to expire and neither the director nor the county administrator intends to apply for an additional period of court-ordered involuntary treatment pursuant to section 305 or at any time the director concludes that the person is not severely mentally disabled or in need of treatment, the director shall petition the court which ordered the involuntary treatment for the unconditional or conditional release of the person. Notice of such petition shall be given to the person, the county administrator and the district attorney. Within 15 days after the petition has been filed, the court shall hold a hearing to determine if the person is severely mentally disabled and in need of treatment. Petitions which must be filed simply because the period of involuntary treatment will expire shall be filed at least ten days prior to the expiration of the court-ordered period of involuntary treatment. If the court determines after hearing that the person is severely mentally disabled and in need of treatment, it may order additional involuntary treatment not to exceed one year; if the court does not so determine, it shall order the discharge of the person.

(5)  A person may be subject to assisted outpatient treatment for a period of up to 180 days if the person continues to meet the requirements of section 301(c) or is being discharged from involuntary inpatient treatment under this article.

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Section 8.  Section 305 of the act is amended by adding a subsection to read:

Section 305.  Additional Periods of Court-ordered Involuntary Treatment.--* * *

(c)  At the expiration of a period of assisted outpatient treatment under section 304(g) or this section, the court may order treatment for an additional period upon the application of the county administrator or the treatment team. Such order shall be entered upon hearing on findings as required by sections 304(a) and (b) and the further finding of a need for continuing assisted outpatient treatment. The additional period of involuntary treatment shall not exceed 180 days.

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Section 9.  This act shall take effect in 180 days.

 

APPROVED--The 24th day of October, A.D. 2018.

 

TOM WOLF