Committee advances bill to narrow definitions for civil commitment, amid mixed testimony

Sen. Maestas, the bill sponsor, told the House committee that Senate Bill 3 revises two definition sections—the mental health code (43-1-3) and the assisted outpatient treatment act (43-1B-2)—to make court determinations more concrete by focusing on recent past behavior and decisional capacity. "Likelihood of serious harm to oneself means... it's more likely than not," the sponsor said, and described language changes that emphasize recent acts or attempts to inflict serious bodily harm.