Laura’s Law: Assisted Outpatient Treatment Demonstration Project Act of 2002
Source: Department of Health Care Services Community Services Division
Resource Type: Documents and Publications
Focus Population: Behavioral Health Workforce
Topics: Behavioral Health Services, Best Practices, Community Defined or Evidence Based Practices
Assembly Bill (AB) 1421 (Thomson, Chapter 1017, Statutes of 2002) established the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Demonstration Project Act of 2002 in Welfare and Institutions (W&I) Code Sections 5345 – 5349.5. Also known as Laura’s Law, this law requires the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to establish criteria and collect outcome data from counties that choose to implement Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) programs. DHCS is required to produce an annual report on the program’s efficacy, which evaluates the program’s impact for reducing the clients’ risk for homelessness, hospitalizations, and involvement with local law enforcement. This report serves as the May 1, 2019, annual report and provides outcomes for the May 2018–April 2019 reporting period