§ 33-3-303 — Transfer of nonresident

(a) The commissioner may provide for and authorize the transportation and transfer from this state to the service recipient's state of residence of a person with mental illness or serious emotional disturbance who is a resident of a state not party to the Interstate Compact on Mental Health, codified in § 33-9-201 , if the nonparty state has reciprocal statutes conferring similar authority and if the service recipient meets the applicable standards for service under this title other than any requirement of being a state resident. (b) (1) Subject to the availability of suitable accommodations, a nonresident person with mental illness or serious emotional disturbance may be hospitalized or admitted under this title for observation, diagnosis and treatment, but in no case for a period longer than thirty (30) days, pending transfer to the state of residence. (2) However, the commissioner may designate certain nonresident persons with mental illness or serious emotional disturbance, not to exceed a total of one hundred (100), as "commissioner's service recipients," who because of their nonresident status in Tennessee are not entitled to hospitalization or admission in this state, but who, having families residing in the state, may be eligible for psychiatric hospitalization or admission, care and treatment for compassionate reasons.

Legislative History

Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 688,s 69, eff. 7/1/2024. Acts 1955, ch. 187, § 1; 1965, ch. 38, § 26; 1965, ch. 295, § 1; 1974, ch. 802, § 32; 1975, ch. 248, § 1; T.C.A., §§ 33-319, 33-1101; Acts 2000, ch. 947, § 1.