Department of Health & Rehab. Serv. v. Owens

305 So. 2d 314
CourtDistrict Court of Appeal of Florida
DecidedDecember 31, 1974
DocketV-65 to V-72
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 305 So. 2d 314 (Department of Health & Rehab. Serv. v. Owens) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court of Appeal of Florida primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Department of Health & Rehab. Serv. v. Owens, 305 So. 2d 314 (Fla. Ct. App. 1974).

Opinion

305 So.2d 314 (1974)

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, DIVISION OF RETARDATION, Appellant,
v.
David Leon OWENS et al., Appellees.

Nos. V-65 to V-72.

District Court of Appeal of Florida, First District.

December 31, 1974.

James G. Mahorner, Tallahassee, and Jean, Laramore, State of Fla. Dept. of Health & Rehabilitative Services, Tallahassee, for appellant.

Don Peters, Gainesville, for appellees.

Beverly A. Rowan, Miami, Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., and Bruce S. Rogow, Coral Gables, for amicus curiae.

McCORD, Judge.

These are appeals from orders of the Circuit Court of Alachua County, Florida, in eight cases (consolidated on appeal) brought by the State of Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. The order appealed from in each case granted the petition for involuntary *315 admission of the appellee in that case to the Division of Retardation of the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. The various orders also directed appellant to provide certain prescribed treatment for the several appellees and to perform other acts at the discretion of the court.

The issues presented on appeal are:

1. Whether or not the admitting judge had statutory authority to prescribe the type of treatment to be administered to an individual involuntarily admitted to the Division of Retardation under Chapter 73-308, Laws of Florida (Chapter 393, Florida Statutes).
2. Whether or not the order issued by the admitting judge was an unconstitutional interference with the separate executive function contemplated by Article II, Section 3, of the Florida Constitution.

These appeals are resolved under the first issue and we, therefore, do not reach the second issue. To bring this issue into proper focus, we quote below the directions given to appellant in each order for involuntary admission:

Case No. V-65
"1. That he be taken by said Division of Retardation to the Shands Teaching Hospital for a complete neurological work-up, to include a sleep EEG.
2. That expense of said tests be paid by the Division of Retardation.
3. That Sunland Training Center notify the parents of DAVID LEON OWENS when appointment has been made for said tests.
4. That the results of the said tests be made known to the Examining Committee for their further evaluation and consideration prior to making a permanent disposition of DAVID LEON OWENS. All of the above shall be completed on or before sixty (60) days from the date of this order. This matter shall be brought back before the Court on or before March 15, 1974, on the issue of permanent disposition ..."
Case No. V-66
"1. That he be released to a proper Community Living Home just as soon as one found available in this area. Provided, however, that if placement not within thirty (30) days from the date of this order, he shall be completely discharged from the Division of Retardation on or before July 1, 1974.
2. In the event, in the opinion of the Director of the Division of Retardation, there are an insufficient number of Community Living Homes in the Gainesville, Florida, area, properly accredited by the A.A.M.D., he is directed to establish said Community Living Homes within thirty (30) days from this Order and make these services available to the said FRANKIE LEE MYHAND."
Case No. V-67
"1. That the proper evaluations as recommended by the Examining Committee be made within the next three months.
2. The Division of Retardation is directed to make a survey of the West Palm Beach area to determine the availability of services in that area for RICHDEAN LOUISE HATCHETT. The findings should be made known to the Examining Committee, and if said Examining Committee recommends to the Court that placement be in that area, this will be done without formal hearing.
3. In the event no available services in the West Palm Beach area which can be coordinated by the Division of Retardation to meet the recommendations of the Examining Committee, this matter will be brought back before the Court upon *316 recommendation of the Examining Committee for long term treatment."
Case No. V-68
"1. That the Division of Retardation afford psychiatric counseling for JOHN ALAN JOHNSON.
2. That he be placed in a work evaluation training program such as offered by Santa Fe Junior College.
3. That upon completion of the work evaluation training program, he be released into a Community Living Home.
It is to be understood the work evaluation training program is to commence as soon as possible and in the event JOHN ALAN JOHNSON has not been released into the Community Living Home within six (6) months from the date of the signing of this Order, this matter shall be brought back before the Court on or before July 15, 1974."
Case No. V-69
"1. * * *
2. That the appropriate department or departments of the State Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services is hereby ordered to implement the recommendations of the Examining Committee to their fullest extent within thirty (30) days from the date of this order. In the interim the said PAUL VARNEY is to remain at Sunland Training Center for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days, and at that time be discharged without further order of this Court.
3. The Division of Retardation is directed to obtain from the Shands Teaching Hospital, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Department of Physical Therapy, Department of Communicative Disorders, Department of Neurology, a complete evaluation and recommendation for therapy for the various specified physical imperatives of PAUL VARNEY. (Expense for said evaluations to be paid by the Division of Retardation of appropriations other than from Sunland Training Center.)
4. This evaluation is to be completed within thirty (30) days or sooner, as scheduling permits. Results of said evaluations shall be forwarded to Mr. O.J. Keller to be implemented by the proper agencies within thirty (30) days thereafter.
5. In the event said services are not implemented in full for the said PAUL VARNEY, this matter shall be brought back to the attention of the Court."
Case No. V-70
"1. That she be released to an accredited Community Living Home for women, properly supervised and accredited by the A.A.M.D., within a period of three months from this date.
2. In the event she is not suitably placed by March 15, 1974, the Court directs the Division of Retardation to bring the matter back before the Court for hearing, at a date and time to be set by the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
3. That NADINE GOWEN CARTER be provided tutoring and training in simple arithmetic, handling of money, and other fundamentals necessary in maintaining an independent life.
4. The Court accepts the recommendation of the Examining Committee that she needs someone on a one-to-one basis to give her the necessary training and supervision. Wherefore, the Division of Retardation is directed to contact the Citizen Advocacy Co-Ordinator, Roberta Malavenda, toward this end."
Case No.

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Bluebook (online)
305 So. 2d 314, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/department-of-health-rehab-serv-v-owens-fladistctapp-1974.