Senate Bill 430 revises the laws governing the civil commitment and emergency detention of mentally ill individuals in Montana. It introduces new legal language clarifying that refusal or inability to admit a person for commitment is not considered contempt under specific circumstances, such as when a bed is unavailable. The bill also modifies definitions related to mental health, including the criteria for commitment and the roles of mental health professionals. It establishes that the standard of proof for commitment hearings is "beyond a reasonable doubt" for physical evidence and "clear and convincing" for other matters, emphasizing the importance of professional testimony and allowing for electronic communication during trials.

Additionally, the bill outlines the process for emergency detention, permitting peace officers to take individuals into custody for up to 72 hours for evaluation and treatment. It mandates that mental health evaluation reports be filed under seal but accessible to the relevant mental health facility. The discharge process is amended to allow for discharge without court approval unless related to a criminal act, and it requires facilities to confirm bed availability before patient transfers. The bill also ensures that a court cannot order a transfer that would exceed a facility's licensed capacity and includes provisions to protect rights and duties established prior to its effective date. Overall, the legislation aims to streamline mental health commitment processes while prioritizing the rights and safety of individuals.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_1(1): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_1(2): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_1(3): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_1(4): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_1(5): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_1(6): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_1: 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_2(1): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-126, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_2(10): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_2(11): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_2(12): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_2(13): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_2(14): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_2(15): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_2(2): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-126, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_2(3): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-126, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_2(4): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-126, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_2(5): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_2(6): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_2(7): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_2(8): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_2(9): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_2: 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-126, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_X(1): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-126, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_X(10): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-126, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_X(11): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-126, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_X(2): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-126, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_X(3): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-126, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_X(4): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-126, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_X(5): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-126, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_X(6): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-126, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_X(7): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-126, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_X(8): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-126, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_X(9): 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-126, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193
SB0430_X: 3-1-501, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 53-21-102, 53-21-126, 53-21-127, 53-21-129, 53-21-181, 53-21-193