2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART VIII - Mental Health (§§ 4001-6151 — 6184) › Chapter 201A - Mental Health Code of 2000 (§§ 6152 — 6166g) › Subchapter IV - Mental Health Care System for Adults (§§ 6155 — 6155v) › § 6155m - Petition for a fifteen (15)-day involuntary admission

Every petition for involuntary admission for a maximum term of fifteen (15) days shall be filed in court within the twenty-four (24) hours provided by the order for temporary detention previously issued by the court. The same shall be accompanied by a certification from the psychiatrist, which shall be known, as the first certification, and shall establish that the adult meets the criteria for involuntary admission and immediate hospitalization in a hospital institution or any other providing institution in order to receive treatment. Said first certification shall establish the following:
(a) That the psychiatrist, in consultation with the inter- or multidisciplinary team, evaluated the adult within the twenty-four (24) hours prior to filing the first request for admission;
(b) the observations and determination of the psychiatrist, in consultation with the inter- or multidisciplinary team, to the effect that the adult meets the admission criteria as established in this chapter;
(c) evidence that the adult has received a copy of the rights established in this chapter, and
(d) the names and professional data of the members of the intervening inter- or multidisciplinary team.
Once the first certification is received, the court shall issue an order for involuntary admission for a term not to exceed fifteen (15) days, which shall be subject to the provisions stated hereinafter, which shall be known as “Fifteen (15)-Day Involuntary Admission”. Upon issuing the order, the court shall schedule a follow-up hearing that shall be held within the next five (5) working days in order to evaluate the extension or suspension of the involuntary admission. The court shall notify to the adult, as well as to his/her closest family member or legal guardian, if any, the date, time and place of the hearing.
If during the hearing, the court finds that the adult should continue receiving involuntary treatment services, the first order for admission shall remain in effect until the end of the original established term of fifteen (15) days, or until the person is able to continue the ambulatory recovery and rehabilitation process, whichever happens first. When the court, based on the recommendations presented by the psychiatrist in consultation with the inter or multidisciplinary team and the evidence presented, determines that the involuntary admission should not continue, it shall order the immediate release of the adult. However, it may order that the person participate in another, less restrictive level of care and with greater autonomy, if recommended to keep the adult from causing immediate harm to the self or others, or damage to property.
Within twenty-four (24) hours of the issuance of the first order for involuntary admission, the adult, his/her family member in charge, legal guardian, attorney or representative, as the case may be, shall receive a copy of the first certification and of the order issued by the court.
History —Oct. 2, 2000, No. 408, § 4.14, eff. 90 days after Oct. 2, 2000.