10/13/2026
A new North Carolina law is changing how the state handles involuntary mental health commitments, expanding treatment options and requiring state agencies to develop new behavioral health programs to keep people connected to care longer.
The legislation doubles the maximum length of court-ordered outpatient treatment from 90 days to 180 days. It also expands the use of telehealth evaluations, increases access to mobile crisis units and strengthens connections to mental health care.