309-033-0920 Certification of Mental Health Investigators (1) Investigation only by a certified investigator. Only a person certified by the Division shall conduct an investigation of a person alleged to be a person with mental illness as required by ORS 426.070(3)(c) and 426.074. (2) Certification of a mental health investigator. The Division shall certify as a qualified mental health investigator, for three years or until such time as the Division terminates the certificate, any person who meets the following: (a) Is recommended by a director for certification as a mental health investigator; and (b) Is a Qualified Mental Health Provider (QMHP), or on January 1, 1988, has been employed by a Community Mental Health Program (CMHP) as an investigator for a minimum of two years; and (c) Has established individual competence through training provided by the Division and within 6 months of the training has passed an examination conducted by the Division in the following areas: (A) The role and duties of an investigator and the process of investigation; (B) Oregon statutes and administrative rules relating to the civil commitment of persons with mental illness; (C) Establishing probable cause for mental disorder; (D) The mental status examination; and (E) The assessment of suicidality, self-harm, dangerousness to self and others, and ability to care for basic needs. (3) Certification of a senior mental health investigator. The Division shall certify as a senior mental health investigator, for five years or until such time as the Division terminates the certificate, a person who meets the following: (a) Is recommended by a director for certification as a senior mental health investigator; (b) Is a QMHP; (c) Has been certified as a mental health investigator for three years; and (d) Has completed the training required under OAR 309-033-0920 during the six months prior to application for certification. (4) Certification of a mental health investigator resident. The Division shall certify as a mental health investigator resident for a non-renewable period of six months, or until such time as the Division terminates the certificate, a person who meets the following: (a) Is recommended by a director for certification as a mental health investigator; (b) Is a QMHP; (c) Has passed an examination conducted by the Division regarding Oregon statutes and administrative rules relating to the civil commitment of persons with mental illness; and (d) Is supervised by a certified senior mental health investigator. The senior mental health investigator shall review each investigation conducted by the mental health investigator resident and co-sign each investigation report as evidence that the senior mental health investigator believes the report meets OAR 309-033-0940, The Investigation Report. (5) Qualifications for recertification. The Division may recertify a mental health investigator or a senior mental health investigator who is currently employed by a CMHP, is recommended by the director for recertification and who, during the period of certification, has maintained the QMHP certification or other equivalent licensure and completed eight hours of training provided by the Division covering civil commitment statutes, administrative rules, and procedures. (6) Residents cannot be recertified. The Division shall not recertify a mental health investigator resident. (7) Termination of certification. The Division may terminate the certification of a mental health investigator, senior mental health investigator, or a mental health investigator resident when, in the opinion of the Authority: (a) The person no longer can competently perform the duties required by this rule, or (b) The person has exhibited a behavior or a pattern of behavior which violates the rights, afforded by statute, of persons being investigated. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 413.042 & 426.060 - 426.500 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 426.005 - 426.395 History: BHS 7-2024, amend filed 04/30/2024, effective 05/28/2024 BHS 9-2023, amend filed 04/04/2023, effective 04/07/2023 MHD 12-1998, f. 6-26-98, cert. ef. 7-1-98, Renumbered from 309-230-0030