The bill amends the Health and Safety Code to extend the preliminary examination period for mental health protective custody from 48 hours to 72 hours, allowing for additional time if the period ends on a weekend or holiday. It also introduces provisions for extending detention during hazardous weather conditions. Furthermore, the criteria for court-ordered mental health services are updated to include new definitions of risk, emphasizing the need for clear and convincing evidence of substantial risk to oneself or others, as well as the potential for severe impairment without immediate intervention.

Additionally, the bill modifies the duration of court-ordered mental health services, increasing the maximum period for temporary outpatient services from 45 days to 90 days, with the possibility of extending it to 180 days if deemed necessary. The criteria for ordering extended inpatient services are also revised to align with the new definitions of risk and deterioration. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will apply to emergency detentions and court-ordered mental health services initiated on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 573.021, Health and Safety Code 574.034, Health and Safety Code 574.0345, Health and Safety Code 574.035 (Health and Safety Code 574, Health and Safety Code 573)