1. (a)

   1. (1) On or before July 1, 2026, a county may establish an assisted outpatient treatment program in accordance with this subtitle.
   2. (2) A county may partner with another county to establish an assisted outpatient treatment program.
2. (b) An assisted outpatient treatment program established under subsection (a) of this section shall be approved and overseen by the county's local behavioral health authority or core service agency.

3. (c)

   1. (1) On or before July 1, 2026, the Department shall establish an assisted outpatient treatment program in any county that does not opt to establish an assisted outpatient treatment program.

   2. (2) A county in which the Department is required to establish an assisted outpatient treatment program shall reimburse the Department:

      1. (i) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, for fiscal year 2028, for 25% of the State share of associated costs;
      2. (ii) For fiscal year 2029, for 50% of the State share of associated costs;
      3. (iii) For fiscal year 2030, for 75% of the State share of associated costs; and
      4. (iv) For fiscal year 2031, for 100% of the State share of associated costs.

   3. (3)

      1. (i) On or before August 31, 2026, the Department shall provide to each county the number of assisted outpatient treatment program participants in the county and the estimated annual cost to provide treatment to those participants.
      2. (ii) For fiscal year 2028, the obligation to provide 25% of the State share of associated costs shall be waived for any county that provides a report to the Department on or before January 1, 2027, on the cost-benefit analysis of the implementation of the assisted outpatient treatment program on the county budget and operations.

4. (d)

   1. (1) A care coordination team operating under an assisted outpatient treatment program shall consist of, at a minimum:

      1. (i) A psychiatrist;
      2. (ii) A case manager;
      3. (iii) A certified peer recovery specialist;
      4. (iv) Other treating providers as clinically appropriate, such as an assertive community treatment team and a provider familiar with the health needs of veterans; and
      5. (v) Any other individuals required by the Department in regulation.
   2. (2) The Department shall establish clinical and operational standards for assisted outpatient treatment programs and care coordination teams established under this section.

Added by Acts 2024, c. 703, § 1, eff. July 1, 2025; Acts 2024, c. 704, § 1, eff. July 1, 2025. Amended by Acts 2026, c. 6, § 1, eff. June 1, 2026.