View all text of Part A [§ 290aa - § 290aa-18]
§ 290aa–17. Assisted outpatient treatment grant program for individuals with serious mental illness
(a) In general
(b) Consultation
(c) Selecting among applicantsThe Secretary—
(1) may only award grants under this section to applicants that have not previously implemented an assisted outpatient treatment program; and
(2) shall evaluate applicants based on their potential to reduce hospitalization, homelessness, incarceration, and interaction with the criminal justice system while improving the health and social outcomes of the patient.
(d) Use of grantAn assisted outpatient treatment program funded with a grant awarded under this section shall include—
(1) evaluating the medical and social needs of the patients who are participating in the program;
(2) preparing and executing treatment plans for such patients that—
(A) include criteria for completion of court-ordered treatment; and
(B) provide for monitoring of the patient’s compliance with the treatment plan, including compliance with medication and other treatment regimens;
(3) providing for such patients case management services that support the treatment plan;
(4) ensuring appropriate referrals to medical and social service providers;
(5) evaluating the process for implementing the program to ensure consistency with the patient’s needs and State law; and
(6) measuring treatment outcomes, including health and social outcomes such as rates of incarceration, health care utilization, and homelessness.
(e) ReportNot later than the end of fiscal year 2023, and biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives on the grant program under this section. Each such report shall include an evaluation of the following:
(1) Cost savings and public health outcomes such as mortality, suicide, substance abuse, hospitalization, and use of services.
(2) Rates of incarceration by patients.
(3) Rates of homelessness among patients.
(4) Patient and family satisfaction with program participation.
(5) Demographic information regarding participation of those served by the grant compared to demographic information in the population of the grant recipient.
(f) DefinitionsIn this section:
(1) The term “assisted outpatient treatment” means medically prescribed mental health treatment that a patient receives while living in a community under the terms of a law authorizing a State or local court to order such treatment.
(2) The term “eligible entity” means a county, city, mental health system, mental health court, or any other entity with authority under the law of the State in which the grantee is located to implement, monitor, and oversee assisted outpatient treatment programs.
(3) The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(g) Funding
(1) Amount of grants
(2) Authorization of appropriations
(Pub. L. 113–93, title II, § 224, Apr. 1, 2014, 128 Stat. 1083; Pub. L. 114–255, div. B, title IX, § 9014, Dec. 13, 2016, 130 Stat. 1245; Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title I, § 1123(b)(1), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5653.)