HB 424 Mississippi House · 2026 Regular Session

Mental health; authorize assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) as alternative to impatient commitment for certain persons.

HB 424 authorizes assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) as a court-ordered alternative to hospitalization for Mississippi residents with serious mental illness who have a history of treatment non-adherence leading to hospitalization, arrest, or risk of harm. It requires courts to make specific findings before approving AOT, including evidence of a pattern of non-adherence, the individual’s ability to live safely with supervision, and the likelihood of benefit from outpatient care. Key provisions include a 90-day initial AOT order (renewable for up to 180 days each, max 12 months total), mandatory 60-day treatment plan updates, guaranteed legal representation for respondents, and county responsibility for community coordination and transportation services. The bill aims to provide structured outpatient support while prioritizing the least restrictive environment and public safety.

Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 12, 2026 Last action Mar 3, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced → Current version · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to expand the scope of assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) and modify several procedural requirements. Key changes include extending the maximum initial order duration from 90 to 180 days, updating compliance reporting intervals from 60 to 90 days, and clarifying language around noncompliance and treatment plans. These modifications aim to provide more flexibility in managing individuals with serious mental illness while maintaining oversight.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded by increasing the maximum duration of initial AOT orders and adjusting compliance reporting timelines, allowing for longer-term community-based treatment plans with updated monitoring intervals.

REQUIREMENT

Extended the maximum duration of initial AOT orders from 90 days to 180 days, allowing for longer treatment periods before requiring renewal.

Changed compliance update reporting frequency from every 60 days to every 90 days, reducing administrative burden while maintaining oversight.

Removed the requirement for a separate psychiatric evaluation for order renewal, replacing it with a broader 'clinical evaluation' requirement.

Modified the treatment plan language to include both the community mental health center plan and the discharge plan from state hospital as approved by the court.

DEFINITION

Updated terminology from 'Non-adherence' to 'Nonadherence' and clarified that isolated failures like single missed medication doses should not automatically trigger hospitalization.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting and numbering adjustments throughout the bill, including renumbering of sections and correction of spacing inconsistencies.

Floor votes · House Feb 10, 2026

How they voted

119–0

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 122

Feb 10, 2026

D Democratic40

39 Yea 1

97% Yea

I Independent2

2 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican80

78 Yea 2

97% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Feb 18, 2026

Committee

Referred To Public Health and Welfare;Judiciary, Division A

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Introduced

Transmitted To Senate

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed As Amended

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Amended

lower

Jan 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass

lower

Jan 12, 2026

Committee

Referred To Public Health and Human Services;Judiciary A

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor