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Pennsylvania MH 789: Petition for AOT

A petitioner uses the MH 789 to ask a Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas to order assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) for a person with serious mental illness who is not already in involuntary treatment, under Section 304(c.2) of the Mental Health Procedures Act. A clinician meets it when appointed to examine the person and report whether they need AOT, or when reviewing a qualified professional's examination.

Who completes it

The petitioner completes Part I, and Part II if the person refuses examination; a psychiatrist, licensed clinical psychologist or court-appointed qualified professional completes the Part IV examination. A psychiatrist or psychologist approves a qualified professional's exam in Part V, authorized staff explain rights in Part VI, and the court completes Parts III and VII.

Submitting and payment

How to submit it
The petitioner, with help from the county MH/ID administrator, files the petition in the Court of Common Pleas. The examination report must reach the court and counsel 48 hours before the hearing.

Good to know

  • If the examiner recommends AOT, an AOT Plan (MH-790) must be provided no later than the date of the hearing.
  • Nonadherence must have led to involuntary hospitalization or forensic services within 12 months, or to serious violence, threats or attempts at serious harm within 48 months.
  • The person must receive the hearing notice (MH-789-A), the AOT bill of rights (MH-789-B) and the petition at least three days before the hearing.
  • An AOT order under this petition cannot exceed 90 days and may authorize routine medication management by the prescribing physician at the AOT facility.

Get the official form

Download the current version from the source each time; forms change without notice.

Petition for Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT)

Official pagePDF

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Frequently asked questions

Who can examine the person for a Pennsylvania AOT petition?

A psychiatrist, a licensed clinical psychologist, or a qualified professional designated by the county administrator and appointed by the court. If a qualified professional does the exam, a psychiatrist or licensed clinical psychologist must review and approve the written report in Part V.

When is the MH 789 examination report due?

The report from the mandatory examination must be submitted to the court and counsel 48 hours before the hearing. If the examiner finds the person needs AOT, the AOT Plan (MH-790) must also be provided no later than the hearing date.

What if the person refuses the AOT examination?

The petitioner completes Part II, an Affidavit of Examination Refusal. The court can then issue an order in Part III directing that the person be examined by a set date by a psychiatrist, licensed clinical psychologist or qualified professional.