34 U.S.C. § 10472
Verified against govinfo.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on govinfo.gov ↗
In this subchapter—
- (1)the term “mental illness” means a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder—
- (A)of sufficient duration to meet diagnostic criteria within the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association; and
- (B)that has resulted in functional impairment that substantially interferes with or limits 1 or more major life activities;
- (2)the term “preliminarily qualified offender with mental illness, mental retardation, or co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders” means a person who—
- (A)
- (i)previously or currently has been diagnosed by a qualified mental health professional as having a mental illness, mental retardation, or co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse disorders; or
- (ii)manifests obvious signs of mental illness, mental retardation, or co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse disorders during arrest or confinement or before any court; and
- (B)is deemed eligible by designated judges;
- (A)
- (3)the term “court-ordered assisted outpatient treatment” means a program through which a court may order a treatment plan for an eligible patient that—
- (4)the term “eligible patient” means an adult, mentally ill person who, as determined by a court—
- (A)has a history of violence, incarceration, or medically unnecessary hospitalizations;
- (B)without supervision and treatment, may be a danger to self or others in the community;
- (C)is substantially unlikely to voluntarily participate in treatment;
- (D)may be unable, for reasons other than indigence, to provide for any of his or her basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, health, or safety;
- (E)has a history of mental illness or a condition that is likely to substantially deteriorate if the person is not provided with timely treatment; or
- (F)due to mental illness, lacks capacity to fully understand or lacks judgment to make informed decisions regarding his or her need for treatment, care, or supervision.