Sec 36-542. Discharge of patient at expiration of period ordered by court; change to voluntary status; relief from civil liability

A. A patient ordered by a court to undergo treatment pursuant to this article shall be discharged from treatment at the expiration of the period of treatment ordered unless one of the following occurs:

1. The person accepts voluntary treatment at the mental health treatment agency.

2. Before the discharge date, a new petition is filed in the county in which the patient is being treated. The proceedings shall then be governed by this article. The costs of the proceedings shall be a charge against the county in which the patient resided or was found prior to hospitalization.

B. If a patient to be discharged is under guardianship, the medical director of the mental health treatment agency shall notify the guardian ten days before discharge.

C. The medical director is not civilly liable for any acts committed by a discharged patient if the medical director has in good faith followed the requirements of this article.