53-21-1205. Short-term inpatient treatment -- process -- placement -- length -- conditions for proceeding with commitment hearing. - Montana Statutes

     53-21-1205. Short-term inpatient treatment -- process -- placement -- length -- conditions for proceeding with commitment hearing. (1) When a commitment hearing has been suspended pursuant to 53-21-123(3)(b) so that the respondent may be diverted to short-term inpatient treatment, the professional person who conducted the examination shall, with the concurrence of the county attorney, recommend to the court an appropriate placement in a mental health facility with available short-term treatment beds.
     (2) Short-term inpatient treatment may not exceed 14 days, except pending a commitment hearing scheduled pursuant to subsection (5).
     (3) Subject to the provisions of this section, a respondent may be released before completing 14 days of treatment if the professional person responsible for the respondent's treatment plan determines that the respondent no longer requires inpatient treatment. However, the county attorney and the respondent's attorney must be notified at least 24 hours before a respondent is released.
     (4) When a respondent is released, the professional person shall notify the court and the court shall dismiss the commitment petition.
     (5) The court must be notified and shall proceed with a commitment hearing within 5 business days of receiving notice of any of the following circumstances:
     (a) the professional person responsible for the respondent's treatment plan determines that the respondent should not be released after 14 days of treatment because, in the professional person's judgment, an emergency situation would exist if the respondent were released;
     (b) the respondent refuses treatment;
     (c) the respondent's attorney requests the respondent's release before the 14-day treatment period is completed; or
     (d) the county attorney objects to the respondent's release within 24 hours of being notified of the respondent's pending release as required in subsection (3).

     History: En. Sec. 5, Ch. 481, L. 2009.