(Feb. 5, 2016) For well over a decade, the Treatment Advocacy Center has been working with New Mexico lawmakers, families and caregivers to pass an assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) law in the state. New Mexico is one of only 5 states with no such law.
In 2015 we came tantalizingly close -- passing AOT in both houses of the state legislature, but ran out of time to reconcile tiny differences between the versions.
For this year's "short session," we are back on the horse. Treatment Advocacy Center Policy Director Brian Stettin is in Santa Fe, assisting our bill sponsors Sen. Mary Kay Papen (D-Las Cruces) and Rep. Paul Pacheco (R-Albuquerque). Last week, Gov. Martinez sent lawmakers a message requesting action on AOT.
Good news: The AOT Act (SB 113) passed the New Mexico Senate Friday afternoon by a vote of 29 ayes and 9 nays. The bill now moves to the House.
Will the House pass it before the session ends at noon on February 18? Stay tuned.
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