WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 2505

RELATING TO ASSISTED COMMUNITY TREATMENT.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by David Alcos and 14 co-sponsors

HB 2505 establishes Hawaii's involuntary outpatient mental health treatment program, allowing courts to mandate community-based care for individuals with serious mental illnesses meeting specific legal standards.

Act 052, 05/27/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1152).
#assistedcommunitytreatment #involuntaryhospitalization #communitymentalhealthoutpatientprograms #petitions
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2505

Legislative bill overview

HB 2505 establishes or modifies Hawaii's assisted community treatment (ACT) program, which allows courts to mandate outpatient mental health treatment for individuals with serious mental illnesses who meet specific criteria. The bill addresses how individuals can be placed under ACT orders and the conditions governing such treatment in community settings rather than institutional settings.

Why is this important

Assisted community treatment represents a significant policy choice about balancing individual liberty with public health and safety concerns. It directly affects how Hawaii manages mental health crises, potentially reducing hospitalizations while raising civil liberties questions about involuntary treatment conditions and who qualifies for such orders.

Potential points of contention

  • Civil liberties vs. public safety trade-off: Involuntary outpatient treatment limits individual autonomy; supporters argue it prevents crises and hospitalizations, while critics contend it may violate due process rights and stigmatize mental illness
  • Criteria and oversight: Disagreement likely exists over what threshold warrants ACT orders, how decisions are made, and what safeguards prevent overuse or discriminatory application
  • Treatment effectiveness and resources: Questions about whether community treatment programs are adequately funded, staffed, and evidence-based, and whether ACT actually improves outcomes or simply shifts where treatment occurs

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.