Source: https://www.cga.ct.gov/2002/olrdata/jud/rpt/2002-R-0848.htm
Timestamp: 2018-01-17 01:39:27
Document Index: 215628295

Matched Legal Cases: ['§17', '§ 17', '§17', '§17', '§17', '§ 17', '§ 17', '§17', '§ 17', '§ 17', '§ 17', '§ 17']

CGS §17a-495 defines "person with psychiatric disabilities," "dangerous to himself or herself or others," "gravely disabled," and "voluntary" and "involuntary patient(s). "
A "person with psychiatric disabilities" is anyone who has a mental or emotional condition that substantially and adversely affects his ability to function and who requires care and treatment. The definition excludes alcohol- or drug-dependant people. (The commitment of an alcohol- or drug-dependant person is covered under a different chapter of Title 17a, see Chapter 318j, § 17a-621 et seq. , and will not be discussed in this report).
B. Commencement of Proceeding Upon Application. Sections 17a-497 and 17a-498 establish the basic commitment procedures, commencing with an application to the appropriate probate court, but mandating no actual detention until after a full hearing. If, however, emergency detention is required prior to the full hearing, §17a-502 and 17a-503 govern.
§17a-497(a) permits anyone to complete a commitment application. If a person with psychiatric disabilities is at large and is dangerous to the community, the first selectman or chief executive officer of the town in which he resides or is at large must make the application. The probate courts can assert jurisdiction only if a written application alleges in substance that the person has psychiatric disabilities and is dangerous to himself or others or gravely disabled.
§17a-498(a) requires the probate court to assign a hearing date for no later than 10 business days after receipt of the application. Reasonable notice of the hearing must be given to the respondent and relatives and friends, as the court deems advisable. The notice should inform the respondent of the right to (1) be present at the hearing, (2) have counsel, (3) have counsel appointed if he is indigent, and (4) cross-examine witnesses testifying at the hearing. The court is required to appoint counsel for an indigent respondent. However, the respondent can refuse court-appointed counsel if the court determines he understands the implications.
The Judicial Department establishes an equitable fee and pays appointed counsel if the General Assembly specifically appropriates money to the department for that purpose. Otherwise, the Probate Court establishes and pays the fee (CGS § 17a-498(b)).
E. Basis for Commitment. If the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the person has psychiatric disabilities and is dangerous to himself or others, or gravely disabled, it must order commitment to a hospital for psychiatric disabilities.
The confinement is for the duration of the psychiatric disabilities or until the patient is discharged or converted to voluntary status in due course of law (CGS § 17a-498(c)).
C. Commitment Under Emergency Certification of Certain Licensed Clinical Social Workers and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. Certain licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) can issue emergency certificates authorizing people with mental illness to be taken to a general hospital for examination.
To do this, they must reasonably believe, based on direct evaluation, that the person has a psychiatric disability, is dangerous to himself or others or gravely disabled, and needs immediate care and treatment. The person must be examined within 24 hours and released within 72 hours unless he is committed to a psychiatric facility.
D. Commitment Under Physician's Emergency Certificate. Under §17a-502, a person may be confined for up to 15 days without a court order, pursuant to a physician's emergency certificate. The physician must have concluded that the person has psychiatric disabilities and is a danger to himself or others or gravely disabled, and needs immediate care and treatment in a hospital for psychiatric disabilities. The certificate must state (1) the date of examination, which shall not be more than three days prior to the date of the certificate; (2) the physician's findings relative to the person's physical and psychiatric condition and the history of the case, if known; (3) the physician's opinion that the person has psychiatric disabilities and is dangerous to himself or others or gravely disabled and needs immediate care and treatment in a hospital for psychiatric disabilities; and (4) the reasons for his opinion (CGS § 17a-502(a)).
If a written application for commitment has been filed in probate court prior to the expiration of the 15 days, the emergency commitment may be continued for an additional 15 days or until completion of probate proceedings, whichever is sooner (CGS § 17a-502(a)). Any person admitted on an emergency basis must be examined by a psychiatrist within 24 hours of admission. If the psychiatrist determines that the person does not meet the criteria for emergency detention and treatment, he must be released (CGS § 17a-502(b)).
The court must order the patient released unless it finds by clear and convincing evidence that confinement is necessary because the person has psychiatric disabilities and is dangerous to himself or others or gravely disabled (CGS § 17a-510).
VII. Transferring Psychiatric Patients