§ 36-530 — Evaluation and treatment

A. A person who is admitted to an evaluation agency shall receive an evaluation as soon as possible after the court's order for evaluation and, subject to the provisions of sections 36-512 and 36-513 concerning the person's right to refuse treatment, receive care and treatment as required by the person's condition for the full period that the person is hospitalized. A clinical record shall be kept for each person that details all medical and psychiatric evaluations and all care and treatment received by the person.

B. A person receiving an evaluation on an inpatient basis will remain in the facility during the evaluation, which shall be completed in less than seventy-two hours. Unless the person is released or admitted on a voluntary basis, the filing of the petition for court-ordered treatment shall be completed within seventy-two hours, excluding weekends and holidays.

C. A person being evaluated on an outpatient basis will not remain in the facility overnight but will be examined during the usual outpatient working hours of the facility on a schedule of appointments. The evaluation will be completed not later than the fourth day after the first appointment, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

D. If a person who has been directed by court order to appear for evaluation does not appear, or in the case of an outpatient evaluation does not complete the appointments scheduled, the evaluation agency shall notify the court and the person's guardian, if any, of the known facts and circumstances and, if appropriate, request that the court order the patient taken into custody for evaluation on an inpatient basis.

E. In the course of conducting an evaluation, the evaluation agency shall solicit, accept and consider information relevant to the present behavior and past behavioral health history of the proposed patient from persons known to the agency who have a significant relationship with the proposed patient, including family members and guardians.