The proposed bill would update current statutes regarding court-ordered treatment for individuals with mental health disorders by replacing the term "continuation of court-ordered treatment" with "renewal of the court order for treatment" throughout the relevant sections. It introduces a new process for converting a court order for treatment into an order for continuing court-ordered treatment after a patient's second consecutive annual review by the medical director. Additionally, the bill modifies the conditions under which a patient may be exempt from discharge at the expiration of treatment, allowing for both renewal and conversion applications.

Moreover, the bill mandates that the medical director conduct a psychiatric examination and file an application for conversion if deemed appropriate. It requires the court to appoint an attorney for the patient if they do not already have one and outlines procedures for hearings related to objections against continuing treatment. The burden of proof would shift to the mental health treatment agency to demonstrate the necessity of continuing treatment, enhancing patient rights and streamlining the overall process of court-ordered treatment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 36-504.01, 36-542, 36-543, 36-543.01, 13-4517, 36-541.01, 36-538, 14-5312.01, 36-537, 14-5308, 36-540
Senate Engrossed Version: 36-504.01, 36-542, 36-543, 36-543.01, 13-4517, 36-541.01, 36-538, 14-5312.01, 36-537, 14-5308, 36-540