Section 37-1-120 - DefinitionsAs used in this article, the term:
(1) "Addictive disease" has the same meaning as in Code Section 37-1-1.(2) "Assisted outpatient treatment" means involuntary outpatient care, pursuant to Article 3 of Chapter 3 of this title, provided in the context of a formalized, systematic effort led by a community service board or private provider in collaboration with other community partners, endeavoring to: (A) Identify residents of the community service board's or private provider's service area who qualify as outpatients pursuant to Code Section 37-3-1;(B) Establish procedures such that upon the identification of an individual believed to be an outpatient, a petition seeking involuntary outpatient care for the individual is filed in the probate court of the appropriate county;(C) Provide evidence based treatment, rehabilitation, and case management services under an individualized service plan to each patient receiving involuntary outpatient care, focused on helping the patient maintain stability and safety in the community;(D) Safeguard, at all stages of proceedings, the due process rights of respondents alleged to require involuntary outpatient care and patients who have been ordered to undergo involuntary outpatient care;(E) Establish routine communications between the probate court and providers of treatment and case management such that for each patient receiving involuntary outpatient care, the court receives the clinical information it needs to exercise its authority appropriately and providers can leverage all available resources in motivating the patient to engage with treatment;(F) Continually evaluate the appropriateness of each patient's individualized service plan throughout the period of involuntary outpatient care, and adjust the plan as warranted;(G) Employ specific protocols to respond appropriately and lawfully in the event of a failure of or noncompliance with involuntary outpatient care;(H) Partner with law enforcement agencies to provide an alternative to arrest, incarceration, and prosecution for individuals suspected or accused of criminal conduct who appear to qualify as outpatients pursuant to Code Section 37-3-1;(I) Clinically evaluate each patient receiving involuntary outpatient care at the end of the treatment period to determine whether it is appropriate to seek an additional period of involuntary outpatient care or assist the patient in transitioning to voluntary care; and(J) Ensure that upon transitioning to voluntary outpatient care at an appropriate juncture, each patient remains connected to the treatment services he or she continues to need to maintain stability and safety in the community.(3) "Mental health or substance use disorder" means a mental illness or addictive disease.(4) "Mental illness" has the same meaning as in Code Section 37-1-1.Added by 2022 Ga. Laws 587,§ 3-1, eff. 7/1/2022.