§ 27-7-4 — Readmission of patients

While any involuntary patient is out of the mental health facility under the provisions of section two or three of this article, he or she may be readmitted to the mental health facility on the basis of the original commitment. If there is reason to believe that it is in the best interest of the patient to be hospitalized, the chief medical officer of the mental health facility may issue a sworn notice for the immediate readmission of the patient, which notice shall contain facts concerning the original commitment and the current condition of the patient. This notice shall be sent to the clerk of the circuit court which ordered his or her admission, to the clerk of the circuit court of the county of the patient's residence, to the circuit court or mental hygiene commissioner of the county in which the patient may be found and to the patient at the location where the patient may be found. Upon receipt of such notice, the circuit court or mental hygiene commissioner may, if satisfied that the condition of the patient warrants his or her return, authorize any health officer or police officer to take the patient into custody and transport him or her to the mental health facility where the notice originated.

Legislative History

2009 Reg. Sess., SB344; 1975 Reg. Sess., HB1316; 1969 Reg. Sess., SB116; 1965 Reg. Sess., HB586; 1955 Reg. Sess., HB228