Advocacy Alert: MA Legislative Hearing on Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT)

A simplified definition of Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) is “court ordered psychiatric treatment.” The Massachusetts legislature has a hearing scheduled on July 18, 2023 at 1:00 pm to consider a bill that would adopt AOT in Massachusetts.

On July 14th our affiliate received emails from two organizations encouraging the public to offer testimony for the hearing. The Treatment Advocacy Center argues in favor while the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health (MAMH) argues against. In an effort to offer insight into both sides of the issue, copies of those emails are available below.

Treatment Advocacy Center, In Favor

Massachusetts Association for Mental Health, Against.

Also, Wildflower Alice: https://wildfloweralliance.org/involuntary-outpatient-commitment-information-center/

Individuals may submit comments to their legislators via online portals, linked in the emails, or register to testify in person at the Massachusetts State House by July 16th.