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<section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="10-6A-04" effective_note="EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2030 PER CHAPTERS 703 AND 704 OF 2024" title_number="10" title_name="Mental Health Law" subtitle_number="6A" subtitle_name="Assisted Outpatient Treatment Programs">
  <level label="a">
    <text>A petition for assisted outpatient treatment may be made under this subtitle by the director of a mental health program receiving State funding under Subtitle 9, Part I of this title, or by any individual at least 18 years old who has a legitimate interest in the welfare of the respondent.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>The petition for assisted outpatient treatment shall be in writing, signed by the petitioner, and state:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>The petitioner’s name, address, and relationship, if any, to the respondent;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The name and any known address of the respondent;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>That the petitioner has reason to believe the respondent meets the criteria for assisted outpatient treatment in § 10–6A–05 of this subtitle; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>For each criterion for assisted outpatient treatment in § 10–6A–05 of this subtitle, the specific allegations of fact that support the petitioner’s belief that the respondent meets the criterion.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>The petition for assisted outpatient treatment shall be accompanied by an affidavit or affirmation of a psychiatrist, stating that the psychiatrist is willing and able to testify at the hearing on the petition and has:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Examined the respondent within 30 days before the date of the petition; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Concluded that the respondent meets the criteria for assisted outpatient treatment in § 10–6A–05 of this subtitle.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <level label="1">
      <text>A petition for assisted outpatient treatment shall be filed in the circuit court for the county in which the respondent resides or in the county of the last known residence of the respondent.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>On the filing of a petition under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the circuit court shall notify the following of the filing of the petition:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>The respondent;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>The Mental Health Division in the Office of the Public Defender;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>As applicable, the local behavioral health authority, the county’s core service agency, or the Department;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>The county attorney; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>If applicable and known, the respondent’s guardian and health care agent.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>A petition filed under this subtitle shall be held under seal and may not be published on Maryland Judiciary Case Search.</text>
  </level>
</section>
