FAMILY & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
Meeting Date: November 9, 2026
Subject: Annual Update on the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program
Submitted For: Dr. Grant Colfax, Health Services Director
Department: Health Services
Referral No: 107
Referral Name: Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program
Presenter: Marie Scannell, Mental Health Program Chief
Contact: Jason Chan, (925) 655-2050
Referral History:
The Assisted Outpatient Treatment Demonstration Project Act (AB 1421), known as Laura’s Law, was signed into California law in 2002. Laura’s Law is named after a 19 year-old woman who worked at a Nevada County mental health clinic. She was one of three individuals who died after a shooting by a psychotic individual who had not engaged in treatment. AB 1421 allows court-ordered intensive outpatient treatment called Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) for a clearly defined set of individuals that must meet specific criteria. AB 1421 also specifies which individuals may request the County Mental Health Director to file a petition with the superior court for a hearing to determine if a person should be court-ordered to receive the services specified under the law. The County Mental Health Director or his licensed designee is required to perform a clinical investigation and, if the request is confirmed, file a petition to the court for AOT. If the court finds that the individual meets the statutory criteria, the recipient will be provided intensive community treatment services and supervision by a multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals with staff-to-client ratios of not more that 1 to 10. Treatment is to be client-directed and employ psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery principles. The law specifies various rights of the recipient as well as due process hearing rights. If a person refuses treatment under AOT, treatment cannot be forced. The court orders a meeting with the treatment team to gain cooperation and can authorize a 72-hour hospi...
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