Sec 8-272. Psychiatric acute care services; outpatient and inpatient assessments; definition

A. If a child exhibits behavior that indicates the child may suffer from a mental disorder or is a danger to self or others, an entity may request that the child receive an outpatient assessment or inpatient assessment.

B. A psychologist, psychiatrist or physician shall conduct an outpatient assessment at a time and place that is convenient for the psychologist, psychiatrist or physician and the child. At the conclusion of the outpatient assessment, the psychologist, psychiatrist or physician shall recommend that the child be either:

1. Provided with outpatient treatment services.

2. Admitted to a psychiatric acute care facility for inpatient assessment or inpatient psychiatric acute care services.

3. Provided with residential treatment services.

4. Discharged to the entity without further psychological or psychiatric services because the child does not suffer from a mental disorder, is not a danger to self or others or is not a child with a persistent or acute disability or grave disability.

C. A psychologist, psychiatrist or physician shall conduct an inpatient assessment within seventy-two hours after a child is admitted to an inpatient assessment facility, excluding weekends and holidays. At the conclusion of the inpatient assessment, the psychologist, psychiatrist or physician shall recommend that the child be either:

1. Admitted to a psychiatric acute care facility for inpatient psychiatric acute care services.

2. Discharged to an entity and provided with outpatient treatment services.

3. Provided with residential treatment services.

4. Discharged to the entity without further psychological or psychiatric services because the child does not suffer from a mental disorder, is not a danger to self or others or is not a child with a persistent or acute disability or grave disability.

D. Within twenty-four hours after a child is admitted for an inpatient assessment, excluding weekends and holidays, the entity shall file a motion for approval of admission for inpatient assessment with the juvenile court. The motion shall include all of the following:

1. The name and address of the inpatient assessment facility.

2. The name of the psychologist, psychiatrist or physician who is likely to perform the inpatient assessment.

3. The date and time the child was admitted to the inpatient assessment facility.

4. A short statement explaining why the child needs an inpatient assessment.

E. An entity that files a motion under subsection D of this section shall provide a copy of the motion to all of the parties and their attorneys. The court shall rule on the motion without response from any party, except that any party may request a hearing to review the child's admission for an inpatient assessment. If the court grants a hearing, the court shall set the hearing on an accelerated basis.

F. If the psychologist, psychiatrist or physician who performed the outpatient assessment or inpatient assessment of the child recommends that the child receive inpatient acute care psychiatric services, the entity may file a motion for inpatient psychiatric acute care services with the juvenile court. If the psychologist, psychiatrist or physician makes this recommendation after conducting an inpatient assessment, the entity shall file the motion for inpatient psychiatric acute care services within twenty-four hours after the completion of the inpatient assessment, excluding weekends and holidays. The motion shall include all of the following:

1. A copy of the written report of the results of the inpatient assessment or outpatient assessment, including:

(a) The reason why inpatient psychiatric acute care services are in the child's best interests.

(b) The reason why inpatient psychiatric acute care services are the least restrictive available treatment.

(c) A diagnosis of the child's condition that requires inpatient psychiatric acute care services.

(d) The estimated length of time that the child will require inpatient psychiatric acute care services.

2. A written statement from the medical director of the proposed inpatient psychiatric acute care facility or the medical director's designee that the facility's services are appropriate to meet the child's mental health needs.

G. As soon as practicable after the filing of a motion under subsection D or F of this section, the court shall appoint an attorney for the child if an attorney has not been previously appointed. The court may also appoint a guardian ad litem for the child.

H. If a motion is filed pursuant to subsection F of this section, the court shall hold a hearing on the motion within seventy-two hours after the motion is filed, excluding weekends and holidays. If the child has been admitted for an inpatient assessment, the child may remain at the inpatient assessment facility until the court rules on the motion.

I. If a child is admitted for an inpatient assessment and an entity fails to file a motion pursuant to and within the time limit prescribed in subsection F of this section, the child shall be discharged from the inpatient assessment facility.

J. If the court approves the admission of the child for inpatient psychiatric acute care services, the court shall find by clear and convincing evidence that both:

1. The child is suffering from a mental disorder or is a danger to self or others and requires inpatient psychiatric acute care services.

2. Available alternatives to inpatient psychiatric acute care services were considered, but that inpatient psychiatric acute care services are the least restrictive available alternative.

K. The court shall review the child's continuing need for inpatient psychiatric acute care services at least every sixty days after the date of the treatment order. The inpatient psychiatric acute care facility shall submit a progress report to the court at least five days before the review and shall provide copies of the progress report to all of the parties, including the child's attorney and guardian ad litem. On its own motion or on the motion of a party, the court may hold a hearing on the child's continuing need for inpatient psychiatric acute care services. If requested by the child, the court shall hold a hearing unless the court has held a review hearing within sixty days before the child's request. If requested by the child, the court may hold a hearing at any time for good cause shown. The progress report shall make recommendations and shall include at least the following:

1. The nature of the treatment provided, including any medications and the child's current diagnosis.

2. The child's need for continued inpatient psychiatric acute care services, including the estimated length of the services.

3. A projected discharge date.

4. The level of care required by the child and the potential placement options that are available to the child on discharge.

5. A statement from the medical director of the inpatient psychiatric acute care facility or the medical director's designee as to whether inpatient psychiatric acute care services are necessary to meet the child's mental health needs and whether the facility that is providing the inpatient psychiatric acute care services to the child is the least restrictive available alternative.

L. If a child is transferred from an inpatient psychiatric acute care facility to another inpatient psychiatric acute care facility, no new inpatient assessment or outpatient assessment is required. Unless the court orders otherwise due to an emergency, an entity shall file a notice of transfer with the juvenile court at least five days before the transfer of the child. The notice shall include all of the following:

1. The name and address of the facility to which the child is being transferred and the date of the transfer.

2. A statement from the medical director of the receiving inpatient psychiatric acute care facility or the medical director's designee that the receiving facility is an appropriate facility to meet the child's mental health needs and that it is the least restrictive available alternative.

3. A statement that the entity has contacted the child's attorney or guardian ad litem and whether the child or the child's attorney or guardian ad litem opposes the transfer.

M. Any party may request a hearing to review the transfer of a child to another inpatient psychiatric acute care facility pursuant to subsection L of this section.

N. Within fifteen days after a child is discharged, the inpatient psychiatric acute care facility shall prepare a discharge summary. Within twenty days after a child is discharged, an entity shall file a notice of discharge with the juvenile court. The notice shall include:

1. A statement of the child's current placement.

2. A statement of the mental health services that are being provided to the child and the child's family.

3. A copy of the discharge summary that is prepared by a mental health professional.

O. When possible, the child's attorney shall communicate with the child within twenty-four hours after a motion is filed pursuant to subsection D or F of this section, excluding weekends and holidays. The child's attorney shall discuss treatment recommendations and shall advise the child of the child's right to request a hearing. The child's attorney or designee shall attend all court hearings related to the child's inpatient assessment or inpatient psychiatric acute care services and shall be prepared to report to the court the child's position on any recommended assessments or treatment. The child may attend any hearing unless the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that allowing the child to attend would not be in the child's best interests.

P. If the child is a dually adjudicated child, the entity that requests an order for inpatient psychiatric acute care services shall notify any other entity of all notices, motions, hearings or other proceedings related to the provision of inpatient psychiatric acute care services. Any entity may attend and participate in all hearings or other proceedings relating to the provision of inpatient psychiatric acute care services to a dually adjudicated child.

Q. Section 8-273 applies if residential treatment services are recommended after an inpatient assessment or outpatient assessment or any inpatient psychiatric acute care treatment. Section 8-341.01 applies if a child who is adjudicated delinquent or incorrigible and who is subject to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court requires residential treatment services. Section 41-2815 applies if a child who is committed to the department of juvenile corrections requires residential treatment services.

R. Information and records that are obtained or created in the course of any assessment, examination or treatment are subject to the confidentiality requirements of section 36-509, except that information and records may be provided to the department of juvenile corrections pursuant to section 8-341.

S. For the purposes of this section, "child" means a person who is under eighteen years of age and who is either:

1. Found to be dependent or temporarily subject to court jurisdiction pending an adjudication of a dependency petition.

2. In the temporary custody of the department pursuant to section 8-821.

3. Detained in a juvenile court detention facility.

4. Committed to the department of juvenile corrections.