§10472 Definitions

Summary

Defines key words used in this subchapter and who can be ordered into court‑supervised outpatient mental health care. It says what is meant by mental illness, who counts as a preliminarily qualified offender, what court‑ordered assisted outpatient treatment is, and who is an eligible patient. "Mental illness" — a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder that meets current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual criteria and causes major life problems. "Preliminarily qualified offender with mental illness, mental retardation, or co‑occurring mental and substance abuse disorders" — a person diagnosed or showing clear signs of those conditions during arrest, confinement, or before a court, and found eligible by designated judges. "Court‑ordered assisted outpatient treatment" — a court-ordered plan requiring outpatient care (not in jail or a hospital) meant to help the person follow intensive behavioral health services and avoid relapse, repeated hospital stays, arrest, suicide, property damage, or violence, and to allow a less restrictive alternative to jail or involuntary hospitalization. "Eligible patient" — an adult with serious mental illness who, as the court finds, has risks or needs such as a history of violence or incarceration, danger to self or others without treatment, likely refusal of voluntary treatment, inability to meet basic needs for reasons other than poverty, likely clinical decline without timely care, or lack of capacity or judgment about treatment.