On February 14, 2024, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample testified before the House Health and Government Operations Committee in support of HB 576- Mental Health- Emergency Evaluation and Involuntary Admission Procedures and Assisted Outpatient Treatment Programs with amendments. This bill mandates that county governments establish an assisted outpatient treatment program in the Maryland Circuit Courts. It also requires collaboration from the courts, the Office of the Public Defender, and each local behavioral health authority.
Assisted outpatient treatment has been authorized in forty-eight other states and the District of Columbia. It has been shown to divert individuals with severe mental illness into the appropriate care and treatment and away from emergency rooms and detention centers.
From MACo Testimony:
This bill would substantially enhance the ability of local detention centers, law enforcement, health departments, and social services teams to more fully and efficiently use their limited resources to assist and support those in their charge. Counties and residents have a great stake in the success of HB 576 but have operational and financial concerns regarding the establishment of such a program falling on counties.
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