A Conversation about Civil Rights Issues in Mental Health Litigation
This program by the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Civil Rights & Social Justice Section will examine proposed assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) legislation in Massachusetts, with a focus on its implications for individual autonomy, informed decision-making and access to mental health services. Participants will explore the existing Massachusetts legal framework governing involuntary treatment, including the rights of individuals to make informed decisions about their care, and consider the legal, ethical and practical implications of the proposed AOT legislation, also known as involuntary outpatient commitment (IOC).
The program will examine:
• Current Massachusetts law that governs informed consent and involuntary treatment
• The proposed legislation regarding IOC
• Evidence regarding its effectiveness in preventing harm
• Community-based solutions
• Alternatives that prioritize individual rights, voluntary engagement and improved access to existing mental health resources.
This program will be held in person at the Massachusetts Bar Association, 20 West St. in Boston, and also live streamed. Please note the program moderators will be live at the MBA and the panelists will be joining remotely. Registration is required by Monday, Nov. 9, at 10 a.m., in order to participate in this program. An email from MassBar Education will be sent before the program.
CLE: This Training is approved for 1.5 CLEs for MHLD Trial & Appeals, CAFL, YAD Appeals.
