This bill aims to revise laws concerning mentally ill individuals by introducing a 72-hour mental health hold, which allows a mental health professional to detain an individual in a mental health or crisis stabilization facility for up to 72 hours if they pose a danger to themselves or others, or are unable to meet their basic needs due to a mental disorder. The bill outlines the process for evaluation and reporting by mental health professionals during this hold, including the requirement for immediate notification of the county attorney and public defender. Additionally, it specifies that individuals may consent to medication during the hold and can be released if they no longer require treatment.

The bill also amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) related to the rights of respondents in mental health hearings. It clarifies that the right to counsel and treatment cannot be waived, while allowing for the waiver of physical presence at hearings under certain conditions. The amendments include provisions for electronic audio-video communication to satisfy the requirement for a respondent's presence at hearings, ensuring that all participants can be observed and heard simultaneously. Furthermore, the bill introduces new definitions and procedures for emergency situations involving mental health crises, enhancing the legal framework for addressing the needs of individuals with mental health disorders.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_1(1): 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_1(2): 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_1(3): 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_1(4): 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_1(5): 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_1(6): 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_1: 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_2(1): 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_2(10): 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_2(11): 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_2(2): 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_2(3): 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_2(4): 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_2(5): 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_2(6): 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_2(7): 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_2(8): 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_2(9): 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_2: 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_3(1): 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_3(10): 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_3(2): 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_3(3): 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_3(4): 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_3(5): 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_3(6): 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_3(7): 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_3(8): 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_3(9): 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_3: 53-21-119, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_X(1): 53-21-119, 53-21-129, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_X(2): 53-21-119, 53-21-129, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_X(3): 53-21-119, 53-21-129, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_X(4): 53-21-119, 53-21-129, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_X(5): 53-21-119, 53-21-129, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_X(6): 53-21-119, 53-21-129, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_X(7): 53-21-119, 53-21-129, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_X(8): 53-21-119, 53-21-129, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_X(9): 53-21-119, 53-21-129, 53-21-132, 53-21-140
SB0435_X: 53-21-119, 53-21-129, 53-21-132, 53-21-140