The bill SB240 amends the Code of Alabama 1975 to enhance the involuntary commitment process for individuals with mental health issues, particularly those with co-occurring substance use disorders. It empowers probate judges to commit individuals whose substance use disorders are secondary to a primary mental illness diagnosis and modifies the jurisdiction of sheriffs in serving commitment petitions. Key insertions include definitions for "co-occurring substance use disorder" and "substance use disorder," which clarify the relationship between these conditions and mental illness. The bill also changes the terminology from "person" to "individual" in the context of filing commitment petitions and specifies that such petitions must indicate any secondary diagnoses.

Additionally, the bill emphasizes the responsibilities of the judge of probate in evaluating the necessity of limiting a respondent's liberty based on consultations with medical professionals, ensuring that limitations are only imposed to prevent substantial harm. It mandates reporting involuntary commitment orders to the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency for firearms prohibition databases and outlines criteria for outpatient and inpatient treatment. The bill also facilitates communication between probate judges and other court judges regarding respondents confined for misdemeanor charges, allowing for potential discharges to fulfill commitment orders. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 22-52-1, 22-52-1, 22-52-3, 22-52-7, 22-52-10, 22-52-10, 22-52-10, 22-52-10, 22-52-11
Engrossed: 22-52-1, 22-52-1, 22-52-3, 22-52-7, 22-52-10, 22-52-10, 22-52-10, 22-52-10, 22-52-11
Enrolled: 22-52-1, 22-52-1, 22-52-3, 22-52-7, 22-52-10, 22-52-10, 22-52-10, 22-52-10, 22-52-11