Section 43-1-13 - Involuntary commitment of developmentally disabled adults to residential care. - New Mexico Statutes

43-1-13. Involuntary commitment of developmentally disabled adults to residential care.

A.     A guardian appointed pursuant to the Uniform Probate Code [45-1-101 NMSA 1978] may file an application with an evaluation facility seeking residential habilitation services for the protected person.  The application shall set forth the basis for the guardian's belief that residential habilitation is necessary and shall include a copy of pertinent medical and psychological evaluations that have been completed.

B.     Upon receipt of an application filed according to Subsection A of this section, an evaluation facility may accept the proposed client for a period of evaluation and treatment not to exceed fourteen days.  An evaluation facility shall prepare an individualized habilitation plan that shall be consistent with the least drastic means principle.

C.     If the habilitation plan recommends residential services, the evaluation facility shall file with the court a petition for extended residential placement.  Upon receipt of the petition, the court shall appoint an attorney to represent the proposed client.  Notice of the hearing scheduled on the petition and a copy of the habilitation plan shall be given to the proposed client, the client's attorney and the client's guardian.  The petition shall contain a list of the names and addresses of proposed witnesses.

D.     At the hearing on the petition, the proposed client shall be represented by counsel and shall have the right to present evidence on the proposed client's behalf, including testimony of a developmental disability professional of the proposed client's choosing; to cross-examine witnesses; to be present at the hearing; and to trial by a six-person jury, if requested.  A complete record of the hearing shall be made.  There shall be a right to an expeditious appeal.

E.     The guardian of an adult involved in a commitment proceeding for extended residential habilitation services shall have automatic standing to appear at all stages of the proceeding and shall be allowed to testify by telephone or through affidavit if circumstances make live testimony too burdensome. 

F.     The court shall include in its findings the guardian's opinion regarding the need for residential habilitation services or a statement detailing the efforts made to ascertain the guardian's opinion.

G.     The court shall order residential placement of the proposed client if it is established by clear and convincing evidence that the proposed client has a developmental disability that creates an imminent likelihood of serious harm to the proposed client's self or to others, or the person is so greatly disabled that residential services would be in the person's best interest and that such residential placement is, in the person's case, the least drastic means.  The court's order of residential placement shall be for a period not to exceed six months.  At the expiration of the commitment order, the client may be detained only after a new commitment hearing, unless waived after consultation with the client's attorney, and entry of a new order for commitment not to exceed six months.

H.     The court shall order placement that is least restrictive to the client and may order attendance and participation as a nonresident in habilitation programs conducted at residential or nonresidential facilities.

I.     Any client involuntarily referred for habilitation treatment shall be entitled to a reexamination of the order for the client's involuntary referral for habilitation and treatment on the client's own petition, or that of the client's legal guardian, parent, spouse, relative or friend, to the district court of the county in which the client resides or is detained.  Upon receipt of the petition, the court shall conduct or cause to be conducted by a special commissioner a proceeding in accordance with this section, except that a proceeding shall not be required to be conducted if the petition is filed sooner than sixty days after the issuance of the order for involuntary referral for habilitation and treatment or sooner than sixty days after the filing of a previous petition under this subsection.

J.     Nothing in this section shall limit the right of a client to petition the court for a writ of habeas corpus. 

K.     No developmental disabilities treatment or habilitation facility is required to detain, treat or provide services to a client when the client does not appear to require detention, treatment or habilitation.