Senate Approves Outpatient Mental Health Treatment Bill

The Ohio House is now considering a Senate-passed bill that could lead to more people with severe mental illness receiving court-ordered outpatient treatment. The legislation clarifies outpatient treatment is an option judges may consider for patients along with hospitalization. The measure also sets out more behaviors a patient must exhibit to receive court-ordered treatment, such as being unlikely to survive safely in the community without supervision. Supporters say the legislation makes it less likely severely mentally ill people will end up hurting themselves or others. Opponents say the proposal could increase the cost of treatment and strain the current system.