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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>86950</law_id><section_number>16.1-345.2</section_number><catch_line>Mandatory outpatient treatment; criteria; orders</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>16.1-344</reference><reference>16.1-345</reference><reference>16.1-345.3</reference><reference>16.1-345.4</reference><reference>16.1-345.5</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="16.1">Courts Not of Record</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="11">Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="16">Psychiatric Treatment of Minors Act</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> After observing the <span class="dictionary">minor</span> and considering (i) the recommendations of any treating or examining physician or psychologist licensed in Virginia, if available, (ii) any past actions of the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>, (iii) any past <span class="dictionary">mental health treatment</span> of the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>, (iv) any evaluation of the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>, (v) any medical records available, (vi) the preadmission screening report, and (vii) any other relevant <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> that may have been admitted, <span class="dictionary">the court</span> shall <span class="dictionary">order</span> that the <span class="dictionary">minor</span> be admitted involuntarily to mandatory outpatient treatment for a period not to exceed 90 days if it finds, by clear and convincing <span class="dictionary">evidence</span>, that: <a id="paragraph-311306" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-345.2/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Because of <span class="dictionary">mental illness</span>, the <span class="dictionary">minor</span> (i) presents a serious danger to himself or others to the extent that severe or irremediable injury is likely to result, as evidenced by recent acts or threats or (ii) is experiencing a serious deterioration of his ability to care for himself in a developmentally age-appropriate manner, as evidenced by delusionary thinking or by a significant impairment of functioning in hydration, nutrition, self-protection, or self-control; <a id="paragraph-311307" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-345.2/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> The <span class="dictionary">minor</span> is in need of compulsory treatment for a <span class="dictionary">mental illness</span> and is reasonably likely to benefit from the proposed treatment; <a id="paragraph-311308" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-345.2/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Less restrictive alternatives to involuntary <span class="dictionary">inpatient treatment</span> that would offer an opportunity for improvement of his condition have been investigated and are determined to be appropriate; <a id="paragraph-311309" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-345.2/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> The <span class="dictionary">minor</span>, if 14 years of age or older, and his <span class="dictionary">parents</span> (i) have sufficient capacity to understand the <span class="dictionary">stipulations</span> of the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>&#x2019;s treatment, (ii) have expressed an interest in the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>&#x2019;s living in the community and have agreed to abide by the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>&#x2019;s treatment plan, and (iii) are deemed to have the capacity to comply with the treatment plan and understand and adhere to conditions and requirements of the treatment and services; and <a id="paragraph-311310" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-345.2/#A4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> The ordered treatment can be delivered on an outpatient basis by the <span class="dictionary">community services board</span> or a designated provider.
				Less restrictive alternatives shall not be determined to be appropriate unless the services are actually available in the community and providers of the services have actually agreed to deliver the services. <a id="paragraph-311311" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-345.2/#A5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Mandatory outpatient treatment may include day treatment in a hospital, night treatment in a hospital, or other appropriate course of treatment as may be necessary to meet the needs of the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>. The <span class="dictionary">community services board</span> serving the area in which the <span class="dictionary">minor</span> resides shall recommend a specific course of treatment and programs for the provision of mandatory outpatient treatment. Upon expiration of an <span class="dictionary">order</span> for mandatory outpatient treatment, the <span class="dictionary">minor</span> shall be released from the requirements of the <span class="dictionary">order</span> unless the <span class="dictionary">order</span> is continued in accordance with &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Continuation of mandatory outpatient treatment order" href="/16.1-345.5/">16.1-345.5</a>. <a id="paragraph-311312" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-345.2/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Any <span class="dictionary">order</span> for mandatory outpatient treatment shall include an initial mandatory outpatient treatment plan developed by the <span class="dictionary">community services board</span> serving the area in which the <span class="dictionary">minor</span> resides. The plan shall, at a minimum, (i) identify the specific services to be provided, (ii) identify the provider who has agreed to provide each service, (iii) describe the arrangements made for the initial in-person appointment or contact with each service provider, and (iv) include any other relevant information that may be available regarding the mandatory outpatient treatment ordered. The <span class="dictionary">order</span> shall require the <span class="dictionary">community services board</span> to monitor the implementation of the mandatory outpatient treatment plan and report any <span class="dictionary">material</span> noncompliance to <span class="dictionary">the court</span>. <a id="paragraph-311313" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-345.2/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> No later than five business days after an <span class="dictionary">order</span> for mandatory outpatient treatment has been entered pursuant to this section, the <span class="dictionary">community services board</span> that is responsible for monitoring compliance with the <span class="dictionary">order</span> shall file a comprehensive mandatory outpatient treatment plan. The comprehensive mandatory outpatient treatment plan shall (i) identify the specific type, amount, duration, and frequency of each service to be provided to the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>, (ii) identify the provider that has agreed to provide each service included in the plan, (iii) certify that the services are the most appropriate and least restrictive treatment available for the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>, (iv) certify that each provider has complied and continues to comply with applicable provisions of the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services&#x2019; licensing regulations, (v) be developed with the fullest involvement and participation of the <span class="dictionary">minor</span> and his <span class="dictionary">parents</span> and reflect their preferences to the greatest extent possible to support the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>&#x2019;s recovery and self-determination, (vi) specify the particular conditions with which the <span class="dictionary">minor</span> shall be required to comply, and (vii) describe how the <span class="dictionary">community services board</span> shall monitor the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>&#x2019;s compliance with the plan and report any <span class="dictionary">material</span> noncompliance with the plan. The <span class="dictionary">minor</span> shall be involved in the preparation of the plan to the maximum feasible extent consistent with his ability to understand and participate, and the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>&#x2019;s family shall be involved to the maximum extent consistent with the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>&#x2019;s treatment needs. The <span class="dictionary">community services board</span> shall submit the comprehensive mandatory outpatient treatment plan to <span class="dictionary">the court</span> for approval. Upon approval by <span class="dictionary">the court</span>, the comprehensive mandatory outpatient treatment plan shall be filed with <span class="dictionary">the court</span> and incorporated into the <span class="dictionary">order</span> of mandatory outpatient treatment. Any subsequent substantive modifications to the plan shall be filed with <span class="dictionary">the court</span> for review and attached to any <span class="dictionary">order</span> for mandatory outpatient treatment. <a id="paragraph-311314" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-345.2/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> If the <span class="dictionary">community services board</span> responsible for developing the comprehensive mandatory outpatient treatment plan determines that the services necessary for the treatment of the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">mental illness</span> are not available or cannot be provided to the <span class="dictionary">minor</span> in accordance with the <span class="dictionary">order</span> for mandatory outpatient treatment, it shall notify <span class="dictionary">the court</span> within five business days of the entry of the <span class="dictionary">order</span> for mandatory outpatient treatment. Within five business days of receiving such notice, <span class="dictionary">the judge</span>, after notice to the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>, the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>&#x2019;s attorney, and the <span class="dictionary">community services board</span> responsible for developing the comprehensive mandatory outpatient treatment plan, shall hold a <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Court review of mandatory outpatient treatment plan" href="/16.1-345.4/">16.1-345.4</a>. <a id="paragraph-311315" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-345.2/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> Upon entry of any <span class="dictionary">order</span> for mandatory outpatient treatment, the clerk of <span class="dictionary">the court</span> shall provide a copy of the <span class="dictionary">order</span> to the <span class="dictionary">minor</span> who is the subject of the <span class="dictionary">order</span>, his <span class="dictionary">parents</span>, his attorney, his <span class="dictionary">guardian ad litem</span>, and the <span class="dictionary">community services board</span> required to monitor his compliance with the plan. The <span class="dictionary">community services board</span> shall acknowledge receipt of the <span class="dictionary">order</span> to the clerk of <span class="dictionary">the court</span> on a form established by the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court and provided by <span class="dictionary">the court</span> for this purpose. <a id="paragraph-311316" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-345.2/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="G"><p><span class="prefix-number">G.</span> After entry of any <span class="dictionary">order</span> for mandatory outpatient treatment if <span class="dictionary">the court</span> that entered the <span class="dictionary">order</span> is not the juvenile and domestic relations district court for the <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> in which the <span class="dictionary">minor</span> resides, it shall transfer <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> of the case to <span class="dictionary">the court</span> where the <span class="dictionary">minor</span> resides. <a id="paragraph-311317" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-345.2/#G"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2009, cc. 455, 555; 2010, cc. 778, 825.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
