The Department of the Attorney General in Honolulu has introduced a new online resource aimed at assisting individuals involved in filing assisted community treatment (ACT) petitions. This initiative is designed to aid those with severe mental health or substance abuse issues who may pose a danger to themselves or others.
Dave Day, Special Assistant to the Attorney General, emphasized the importance of ACT as a "holistic legal framework" that helps individuals escape harmful cycles of behavior. The department aims to collaborate with practitioners and residents of Hawaiʻi to support patients and loved ones through this process.
The ACT law was established by the Hawaiʻi Legislature in 2013. It provides support for individuals with mental illness or drug addiction who may become unsafe without intervention. The treatment plan is community-based and requires a family court order after filing a petition. Eligible petitioners include family members, service providers, and mental health professionals.
In 2024, legislative changes mandated that the Department of the Attorney General assist with preparing and filing ACT petitions and presenting cases in court, though assistance can be declined. The newly launched webpage offers forms, instructions, legal definitions, and submission methods for necessary information.
Michael K. Champion, M.D., Senior Advisor for Mental Health and the Justice System to Governor Josh Green, M.D., noted that ACT services help improve personal engagement in treatment and support recovery while reducing hospitalization, incarceration, and homelessness cycles. He described the department's involvement as crucial for lowering barriers to care access.
Marian Tsuji, Deputy Director of Behavioral Health, highlighted successful ACT cases in Hawaiʻi involving individuals with severe mental illness. She stressed the importance of an engaged treatment team for success and mentioned efforts to expand law usage statewide.
Deputy Attorney General Ian Tsuda pointed out that ACT orders provide treatment opportunities in less restrictive settings for those unaware of their illness severity or treatment noncompliance risks. He reaffirmed the department's commitment to supporting those seeking care at this level.
The webpage is accessible on the Department of the Attorney General’s website under https://ag.hawaii.gov/act_petition_info/, available through both "Division Links" and "Quick Links."