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Legislators, advocates clash over proposed changes to AOT and involuntary commitment
Summary
OMH told legislators it proposes clarifying involuntary commitment and boosting county AOT capacity; civil‑liberties and disability advocates warned the changes risk expanding coercion in place of voluntary community services.
New York’s proposed changes to involuntary commitment standards and assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) drew sustained scrutiny and sharp exchanges at a joint fiscal hearing Wednesday.
What OMH said: Commissioner Sullivan described proposed clarifying amendments to the Mental Hygiene Law that she said would allow clinicians and courts to use the record to order or renew involuntary care for a small subset of high‑need individuals who are at “substantial risk” of harm because they are unable, due to mental illness, to provide for essential needs. She also described $16.5 million proposed to help counties expand voluntary AOT programs and $2…
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