State Rep. Tom Kuhn (R-Troy) introduced a comprehensive mental health reform package with Reps. Mark Tisdel (R-Rochester) and Donni Steele (R-Lake Orion) to improve Michigan’s mental health system by emphasizing earlier intervention, expanding access to Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT), and enhancing continuity of care.

The House Bills 4412 to 4414 aim to reduce the burden on emergency departments, hospitals, law enforcement, and homeless shelters, while helping individuals receive necessary treatment before a crisis occurs.

“These bills represent significant progress in making early intervention a priority and improving access to AOT for individuals with serious mental illness,” said Kuhn, R-Troy. “This is about saving lives, supporting families, and keeping people connected to care—before they end up in an emergency room, jail, or on the streets.”

Key provisions in the package include:

• Clarifying current law to ensure law enforcement can act on reliable information when seeking treatment for someone in crisis.
• Expanding eligibility for mental health professionals to provide testimony necessary for AOT petitions.
• Encouraging mediation as an alternative to court petitions, preserving the patient-provider relationship and increasing treatment compliance.
• Allowing families to petition for an extension of treatment orders to prevent care disruptions.
• Strengthening hospital evaluations to connect individuals with outpatient services and reduce repeat hospitalizations.

“These changes will help build a more compassionate and effective mental health system that prioritizes long-term stability and recovery,” Kuhn said. “We must ensure people get the help they need before they reach the point of crisis.”

The legislation draws from the work and advocacy of retired Judge Milton L. Mack Jr., former State Court Administrator and longtime Wayne County Probate Judge, who has been a leading voice in mental health reform. Judge Mack was instrumental in the implementation of Kevin’s Law, which expanded the use of court-ordered outpatient treatment in Michigan.

“These bills will empower families and providers of care to seek help before it is too late,” said Judge Mack. “The most important benefit is to the individual suffering from a serious mental illness. Early intervention, relying on community treatment, is the best hope for recovery.”

The package has received support from a wide range of organizations including the Mental Health Diversion Council, the Mental Health Association in Michigan (MHAM), the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan, the Michigan Probate Judges Association, and other groups committed to strengthening Michigan’s mental health infrastructure.