§ 25-10-127 — Convalescent status; discharge; readmittance

(a) After providing notice to the court, the county
attorney who initiated involuntary hospitalization procedures,
any gatekeeper designated by the department and all interested
parties, the hospital may release an improved patient on
convalescent leave subject to the following:
(i) The hospital has determined that the patient is
likely to follow the conditions the hospital determines
necessary for the patient;
(ii) The hospital has determined that the patient
will not likely be a danger to himself or others during
convalescent leave; and
(iii) Release on convalescent leave shall include a
plan of treatment on an outpatient or nonhospital basis and
other provisions for continuing responsibility of the patient by
the hospital. Prior to the end of one (1) year on convalescent
leave, and not less than annually thereafter, the hospital shall
reexamine the facts relating to the hospitalization of the
patient on convalescent leave and if the hospital determines
hospitalization is no longer anticipated, the hospital shall
discharge the patient and make a report of discharge to the
court, to any gatekeeper designated by the department and to the
county attorney who initiated procedures for the involuntary
hospitalization.
(b) The hospital from which the patient is given
convalescent leave may readmit to the hospital the involuntary
hospitalized patient who has been released on convalescent leave
if the hospital reasonably believes that it is in the best
interests of the patient. The patient readmitted shall have all
the rights he had upon admission to the hospital. Upon
readmission he shall be given notice of his rights pursuant to
W.S. 25-10-116. It is the responsibility of the hospital to
provide or pay for any transportation or other services in
connection with any revocation of a convalescent status.
(c) The hospital shall discharge any patient who has
remained on convalescent leave for a period of two (2)
continuous years.
(d) This section shall not apply to a person who has been
committed to the hospital pursuant to a criminal proceeding.