Sec. 45a-695. (Formerly Sec. 45-78u). Evidence re ability of respondent to give informed consent. Reports by panel members appointed by court. Right of respondent to present evidence and cross-examine - Connecticut Statutes

      Sec. 45a-695. (Formerly Sec. 45-78u). Evidence re ability of respondent to give informed consent. Reports by panel members appointed by court. Right of respondent to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses. At any hearing upon such application, the court shall receive evidence concerning the respondent's ability to give informed consent. Such evidence shall include, but shall not be limited to, reports in writing signed under penalty of false statement from an interdisciplinary team of at least three impartial panel members appointed by the court from a panel of physicians, psychologists, educators and social and residential workers who have personally observed, examined or worked with such respondent at some time during the twelve months preceding such hearing. Such appointments shall be made in accordance with regulations to be promulgated by the Probate Court Administrator in accordance with section 45a-77. The reasonable compensation of such appointed panel members shall be established by the court. Such compensation shall be charged to the respondent provided, if the court finds such respondent is unable to pay such compensation, it shall be paid from the Probate Court Administration Fund. Each such appointed panel member shall make his or her written report under penalty of false statement on a separate form provided for that purpose by the court and shall answer such questions as may be set forth on such form as fully and completely as reasonably possible. The reports shall contain specific information regarding the respondent's ability to give informed consent and shall indicate the specific aspects of informed consent which the respondent lacks. Each such appointed panel member shall state upon the forms the reasons for his or her opinion. Such respondent or his or her counsel shall have the right to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses who testify at any hearing on the application. If such respondent or his or her counsel notifies the court not less than three days before the hearing that he or she wishes to cross-examine the appointed panel members, the court shall order such members to appear.

      (P.A. 79-543, S. 6, 14; P.A. 89-144, S. 14; P.A. 99-84, S. 30; P.A. 00-166, S. 2; P.A. 01-195, S. 31, 181.)

      History: P.A. 89-144 substituted office of protection and advocacy for persons with disabilities for office of protection and advocacy for handicapped and developmentally disabled persons; Sec. 45-78u transferred to Sec. 45a-695 in 1991; P.A. 99-84 deleted "sworn" and inserted "signed under penalty of false statement"; P.A. 00-166 deleted provision that required Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities to provide panel, changed provision for payment of compensation of panel from funds appropriated to advocacy office to Probate Court Administration Fund and changed responsibility for forms from advocacy office to probate court; P.A. 01-195 made a technical change, effective July 11, 2001.