ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — 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.

Governor Josh Stein signed the bill on Monday, July 6. Local supporters say the changes could help reduce the cycle of repeated hospitalizations and involvement with the criminal justice system.

“They call it a revolving door because it’s very true,” said Robin Payne, executive director of NAMI Western Carolina.

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.

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“If they’re doubling the requirement for an outpatient, that’s wonderful. And the supports need to be in place, meaning if you are homeless and you’re required to go to all these appointments, who’s taking you there? Who’s reminding you you have the appointment? Maybe focusing on housing is a little bit more important,” Payne said.

The law also strengthens training requirements for involuntary commitment examiners and creates new programs designed to connect people involved in the criminal justice system with mental health treatment.

Payne said those changes could make a meaningful difference, but warned that staffing shortages remain a major obstacle.

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“It’s very difficult to encourage people to work in the industry, and then when you add low pay on top of that, it’s almost impossible. So these things are wonderful for the people that they’re intended to support. We just have to make sure we have the capacity and the staffing in order to do that,” Payne said.

Funding for many of the expanded services remains unclear.

“The state is putting the funding towards supporting these individuals is absolutely critical for success,” Payne said.

Under the new law, state agencies will spend the coming months developing a telehealth pilot program and creating a statewide plan to expand mobile crisis services. Supporters say those efforts will be key to determining whether the law achieves its goal of improving access to treatment and reducing repeat involuntary commitments.