State Policy · MD
Maryland Launches Court-Ordered Outpatient Mental Health Treatment in Baltimore, Select Counties
Maryland's Department of Health on Thursday began implementing its new Assisted Outpatient Treatment program, allowing mental health professionals, family members, or friends to petition circuit courts to mandate treatment adherence for individuals with severe mental illness. The program launches initially in Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County, and Eastern Shore counties, with statewide rollout scheduled for July 2027. Circuit courts can now order patients with conditions like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia to comply with prescribed treatment plans. Disability rights advocates have raised concerns about patient autonomy, while local officials are still working out implementation logistics with state health officials.
Why it mattersMedicaid health plans and behavioral health providers in Maryland will need to coordinate with courts and county officials to operationalize mandated treatment compliance, which may affect network adequacy, care management protocols, and utilization patterns for enrollees with serious mental illness.