The bill amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code and the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Act to provide clear definitions for "serious harm to self" and "serious harm to others." The new definitions specify that "serious harm to others" refers to instances where an individual has inflicted or attempted to inflict serious bodily harm on another person or has created a substantial risk of such harm, with a likelihood of repeating this behavior in the near future. Similarly, "serious harm to self" is defined as a situation where an individual is likely to attempt self-inflicted death or serious bodily harm, or where their recent behavior indicates a lack of decisional capacity that could lead to severe physical or mental debilitation without treatment.

Additionally, the bill includes various amendments to existing definitions within the code, such as clarifying terms related to treatment and habilitation, and the roles of professionals involved in mental health care. These changes aim to enhance the understanding and application of mental health laws, ensuring that individuals in need of treatment receive appropriate care while also protecting the safety of themselves and others.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 43-1-3, 43-1B-2
Final Version: 43-1-3, 43-1B-2