This chapter establishes a pilot program for outpatient civil commitment (OCC) to allow for the release of individuals who are involuntarily committed for inpatient treatment under Health-General Article, §10-632, Annotated Code of Maryland, on the condition of admission to the OCC pilot program. This chapter is not intended to impose any exhaustion requirement on an individual as a prerequisite to the individual’s pursuing concurrently or in any order any legal remedy to obtain release from an inpatient facility. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. Terms Defined. “Administration” means the Behavioral Health Administration and its agents or designees. “Administrative law judge (ALJ)” means an individual in the Office of Administrative Hearings authorized under State Government Article, §9-1604, Annotated Code of Maryland, to conduct hearings under this chapter. “Application” means the application made by the inpatient facility to the Administration, which seeks the voluntary or involuntary outpatient admission of an individual to the outpatient civil commitment pilot program. “Department” means the Maryland Department of Health. “Discharge” means the removal or withdrawal of an individual from the outpatient civil commitment pilot program and the termination of the outpatient civil commitment order. “Eligible resident” means an individual who: Has a current residence in Baltimore City or a contiguous zip code; or Is willing to establish a residence in Baltimore City or a contiguous zip code. “Federal grant program funding” means the funding awarded pursuant to the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administrations Assisted Outpatient Treatment Grant Program for Individuals with Serious Mental Illness, established by the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014, section 224. Inpatient Facility. “Inpatient facility” means an inpatient institution that provides evaluation, care, or treatment for individuals who have mental disorders. “Inpatient facility” includes a Veterans' Administration (VA) hospital. “Involuntary inpatient facility admissions” means that an individual has been admitted to an inpatient facility by an ALJ following an involuntary admission hearing pursuant to Health-General Article, §10-632, Annotated Code of Maryland. “Involuntary outpatient admission” means the admission of an individual into the outpatient civil commitment pilot program who shall be subject to conditions imposed by the Administration and ordered by an ALJ following a hearing as described in this chapter. “Legal service provider” means the entity that the Department designates to provide representation for an individual at the proceedings described in this chapter. “Licensed certified social worker-clinical” means an individual who is licensed, certified, or otherwise legally authorized to independently provide the mental health service under Health Occupations Article, Title 19, Annotated Code of Maryland. “Licensed clinical professional counselor” means an individual who is licensed, certified, or otherwise legally authorized to independently provide the mental health service under Health Occupations Article, Title 17, Annotated Code of Maryland. “Licensed master social worker” means an individual who is licensed, certified, or otherwise legally authorized to independently provide the mental health service under Health Occupations Article, Title 19, Annotated Code of Maryland. Mental Disorder. “Mental disorder” means a behavioral or emotional illness that results from a psychiatric or neurological disorder. “Mental disorder” includes a mental illness that substantially impairs the mental or emotional functioning of an individual as to make care or treatment necessary or advisable for the welfare of the individual or for the safety of the individual or property of another. “Mental disorder” does not include mental retardation or a primary diagnosis of alcohol or drug abuse. “Office of Administrative Hearings” means the office created under State Government Article, §9-1602, Annotated Code of Maryland. “Order” means the formal written order issued by an Administrative Law Judge committing an individual into the outpatient civil commitment pilot program. “Outpatient civil commitment (OCC) pilot program” means the program established by the Behavioral Health Administration to provide community-based treatment and supports to: Individuals involuntarily ordered by an ALJ to participate in the OCC pilot program as a condition of release from inpatient admission; or Individuals who choose to participate in the OCC pilot program voluntarily after a settlement conference with the legal service provider and a representative of the inpatient facility. “Physician” means an individual licensed under Health Occupations Article, Title 14, Annotated Code of Maryland, to practice medicine in this State. “Program” means the outpatient civil commitment (OCC) pilot program. “Psychiatric nurse practitioner” means an individual licensed to practice registered nursing in this State and certified to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse/psychiatric mental health (APRN/PMH) under Health Occupations Article, Title 8, Annotated Code of Maryland. “Psychiatrist” means a physician who: Is licensed by the Maryland Board of Physicians; and Is either: Certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology; or Has completed the minimum educational and training requirements to be qualified to take the Board of Psychiatry and Neurology examination for certification in psychiatry. “Psychologist” means an individual who is: Licensed under Health Occupations Article, Title 18, Annotated Code of Maryland, to practice psychology; and Listed in the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. “Release” means the authorization for an individual who is confined in an inpatient facility under Health-General Article, §10-632, Annotated Code of Maryland, to leave the inpatient facility on the condition of admission to the OCC pilot program. “Voluntary inpatient admission” means the admission of an individual to an inpatient facility on the basis of: A signed and endorsed formal application for voluntary admission pursuant to Health-General Article, §10-609 or 10-610, Annotated Code of Maryland; An informal request for admission pursuant to Health-General Article, §10-609, Annotated Code of Maryland; or If the voluntary admission is to a VA hospital, the procedure established by the VA hospital. “Voluntary outpatient admission” means the admission of an individual to the outpatient civil commitment pilot program described in this chapter voluntarily after a settlement conference with the legal service provider and a representative of the inpatient facility. The Department authorizes the Administration to create a program to provide community-based treatment to individuals with mental disorders who were: Admitted to an inpatient facility under Health-General Article, Title 10, Annotated Code of Maryland; and Released on condition of admission to the program pursuant to the requirements of this chapter. The program shall be funded with money received from a federal government grant to conduct an outpatient civil commitment program. The program shall be limited to eligible residents. Individuals shall be admitted to the program through voluntary outpatient admission or involuntary outpatient admission consistent with this chapter. The program and the regulations under this chapter shall end on the expiration of the federal grant program funding. To be involuntarily admitted to the program, an individual shall meet the following criteria: Have a mental disorder; Be 18 years old or older; Be an eligible resident; Have had two or more involuntary inpatient facility admissions in the preceding 12 months, including the most recent admission, before the application for admission into the program; Has a demonstrated history of refusing community treatment that has been a significant factor in contributing to the current involuntary inpatient admission; Has a treatment history and behavior that indicates the need for outpatient treatment to prevent deterioration after discharge and that is substantially likely to result in the individual becoming a danger to self or others in the community in the foreseeable future; Has been offered, and refused, the opportunity to accept voluntary outpatient admission into the program on discharge from the inpatient facility; Is substantially likely to benefit from the outpatient treatment; Would not be a danger to self or others in the community if released to the program; and For whom treatment in the program is the least restrictive alternative appropriate for the individual. Involuntary Admission. To be voluntarily admitted to the program, an individual shall meet the following criteria: Have a mental disorder; Be 18 years old or older; Be an eligible resident who has had: A combination of two voluntary or involuntary inpatient facility admissions in the preceding 12 months, including the most recent admission before the application for admission into the program; or One inpatient facility admission and three psychiatric emergency department visits in the preceding 12 months; Have a demonstrated history of refusing community treatment that has been a significant factor in contributing to the current inpatient admission; Have a treatment history and behavior that indicates the need for outpatient treatment to prevent deterioration after discharge that is substantially likely to result in the individual becoming a danger to self or others in the community in the foreseeable future; Show that they are substantially likely to benefit from the outpatient treatment; Not be a danger to self or others in the community if released to the program; Be able to demonstrate that treatment in the program is the least restrictive alternative appropriate for the individual; Participate in a settlement conference with the legal service provider and a representative of the inpatient facility; and Enter into a settlement agreement whereby the individual agrees to adhere to program recommendations including a treatment plan or support services, or both, as needed by the individual. If the individual is eligible, an immediate family member may request voluntary enrollment. The administrative head of an inpatient facility may submit an application to the Administration for admission to the program of an individual who is committed to the inpatient facility under Health-General Article, §10-632, Annotated Code of Maryland. The Administration shall provide an application form that includes the following: The statutory authority for the application; The applicant’s: Name; Address; and Telephone number; The name and address of the individual for whom the program is being requested; The criteria for admission into the program; The facts that support the applicant’s determination that the individual who is the subject of the application meets each criterion for admission to the program; and The signature and verification by a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, licensed certified social worker-clinical, licensed master social worker, or licensed clinical professional counselor on behalf of the inpatient facility. If the individual’s address is unknown, or the individual is homeless, the address of the inpatient facility may be used. If an application does not include the information required under §B of this regulation, the Administration may not consider the application. Within 3 business days from receiving an application for admission, the Administration shall: Determine whether the individual meets the criteria for admission to the program; Determine whether the program is appropriate to meet the individual’s needs; and Provide written notice to the individual and to the administrative head of the inpatient facility of the Administration’s decision to approve or deny the application. If the application is approved, the Administration shall oversee the development of the proposed program treatment plan. If the application is denied, the individual may not be admitted into the program. If the application for admission to the program has been approved, the inpatient facility staff shall: Schedule a hearing with the Office of Administrative Hearings; Notify the legal service provider that the hearing has been scheduled; Provide the individual with a copy of the application and proposed treatment plan; and Provide the individual with a copy of the Notice of Hearing and Rights. The parent, guardian, or next of kin of an individual approved for admission to the program: Shall be given notice of the hearing; and May offer evidence and testify at the hearing. The notice of hearing and rights shall be on the form provided by the Administration and shall include: The date, time, and place that the hearing will be held; The legal authority for and purpose of the hearing; A short statement explaining why the individual’s admission to the program is being sought; The criteria set forth in Regulation .06 of this chapter that govern whether the individual shall be admitted to the program; The individual’s right to consult with an attorney of the individual’s choice and, if the individual is unable to afford an attorney, the availability of representation at the hearing through the legal service provider; and The individual’s rights at the hearing as set forth in Regulation .09 of this chapter. Within 10 business days from the Administration’s approval of the program application, a hearing shall be held by the Office of Administrative Hearings to decide if the patient meets the program admission requirements of this chapter. The hearing may be postponed for good cause for not more than 10 business days from date of the postponed hearing. Burden of Proof. The Administration shall demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that the individual meets each of the requirements set forth under Regulation .05 of this chapter. Rights of Parties. At a hearing, the parties have the right to: Be represented by counsel; Present witnesses; Cross-examine witnesses presented by the other party; Present documentary or other relevant evidence; Submit rebuttal evidence; and Present summation and argument. In addition, an individual has the right to: Wear the individual’s choice of clothes; and Be present or waive the right to be present, if the waiver is: Knowingly and intelligently made; and Witnessed by the individual’s counsel. Findings and Conclusions. After the evidence and testimony are presented, and following summation and argument by the parties, the ALJ shall: Consider all evidence and testimony of record; Rule on issues raised by the individual that relate to the admission of the individual into the program; Order the individual released into the program if the inpatient facility has met its burden of proof establishing that the individual meets the program admission criteria under Regulation .05 of this chapter; and State on the record the: Findings, including whether the individual waived the right to attend the hearing; Conclusions of law on any issue presented; and Right of the individual to judicial review of the decision of the ALJ under State Government Article, §10-222, Annotated Code of Maryland, and the procedure for requesting judicial review. An order shall: Specify that each of the admission criteria has been met; Order the individual to adhere to program recommendations including a treatment plan or support services, or both, as needed by the individual; and Specify the date on which the order shall expire. An order issued under this chapter shall expire at the end of the 180-day period beginning with the individual’s initial inpatient commitment under Health-General Article, §10-632, Annotated Code of Maryland. If the individual elects to participate in the program voluntarily, the individual shall participate in a settlement conference. The settlement conference shall include the individual, the legal service provider, and a representative of the inpatient facility. In order for the individual to be voluntarily admitted to the program, the individual shall sign the settlement agreement and agree to adhere to program recommendations including a treatment plan or support services, or both, as needed by the individual. Before Discharge. Before the expiration of the program order, the Administration shall ensure that a transition plan is in place which provides the outpatient services necessary to support the individual in the community. Early Discharge. The Administration may discharge an individual from the program prior to the expiration of the program order upon finding that the individual is: Not likely a danger to self or others without the order; and Compliant with the treatment plan and is likely to remain compliant in the future without the order. After Discharge. Following the discharge of a patient from the program, the Administration shall monitor the transition of the individual from the program to voluntary community services for 60 days. Nothing in this chapter prevents the admission to a hospital pursuant Health-General Article, §10-601 et seq., Annotated Code of Maryland, of an individual participating in the Program. An individual’s participation in the program does not prohibit the individual’s evaluation and involuntary admission under Health-General Article, §10-601 et seq., Annotated Code of Maryland. This chapter is effective July 1, 2017. Health-General Article, §§7.5-205 and §7.5-205.1, Annotated Code of Maryland Effective date: November 6, 2017 (44:22 Md. R. 1037) Regulation .02B amended effective September 9, 2019 (46:18 Md. R. 774); February 3, 2025 (52:2 Md. R. 67) Regulation .03A amended effective September 9, 2019 (46:18 Md. R. 774) Regulation .03C amended effective February 3, 2025 (52:2 Md. R. 67) Regulation .05 amended effective February 3, 2025 (52:2 Md. R. 67) Regulation .05B amended effective September 9, 2019 (46:18 Md. R. 774) Regulation .06B amended effective September 9, 2019 (46:18 Md. R. 774) Regulation .11 amended effective February 3, 2025 (52:2 Md. R. 67)