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Argentina to Send March Bill Revising Mental Health Law, Enabling Court-Ordered Care

The draft revives measures cut from the Bases Law, drawing pushback from mental‑health advocates.

Overview

  • Government sources say the Executive plans to submit the proposal in the ordinary congressional session that begins March 1.
  • Key provisions under discussion would let judges authorize involuntary hospitalization in defined exceptional cases and order urgent measures before interdisciplinary evaluations.
  • The draft contemplates authorizing specialized neuropsychiatric centers, adjusting discharge and rehabilitation rules, and granting public defenders new capacities to request therapeutic measures.
  • Officials justify the move by citing emblematic episodes and testimony, including the killing of Federal Police officer Juan Pablo Roldán and statements from Marina Charpentier.
  • Advocacy organizations criticize the initiative as a rollback of deinstitutionalization, and officials indicate the text remains in drafting and could be announced by President Javier Milei at the March opening of sessions.