Bill > SB269

This bill modifies Georgia's mental health involuntary commitment laws by expanding the role of nurse examiners in mental health evaluations and treatment. The bill introduces a new definition for "nurse examiner" as a clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner approved to conduct certain mental health examinations and certifications. It allows nurse examiners, alongside physicians and psychologists, to determine whether a patient requires involuntary treatment and whether that treatment should be provided as an inpatient or outpatient basis. The bill establishes detailed procedures for discharging patients into outpatient treatment, including requirements for creating an individualized service plan, providing written notifications to patients about appointments and potential consequences of non-compliance, and transmitting patient information between referring and receiving facilities. Additionally, the bill creates a new process for community mental health centers to handle potential outpatient commitments, specifying timelines for preparing service plans, notifying patients, and petitioning the court for a hearing. The changes aim to provide more flexibility in mental health treatment while maintaining patient protections and ensuring proper legal oversight of involuntary treatment decisions.

Health and Social Services

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70839