Court Opinion

ID: 9669524
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 02:58:11.739872+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:15:57.608164
License: Public Domain

SHORT, Judge
(dissenting).
I dissent on the issue of whether a public guardian can authorize the administration of neuroleptic medication to a mentally retarded person absent appointment of a guardian ad litem and a court order. The holding in Jarvis v. Levine, 418 N.W.2d 139, 147-49 (Minn.1988), reh’g denied (Aug. 22, 1988) that there be prior judicial *41approval for the involuntary administration of neuroleptic medications is based on the Minnesota Constitution, not the commitment statutes. In Re Chonis, 478 N.W.2d 199, 200 (Minn.1991). While I agree Minn. Stat. § 253B.03, subd. 6a (Supp.1991) can be read to include consent from a public guardian, I believe the Minnesota Constitution requires appointment of a guardian ad litem and an adversary proceeding. See Price v. Sheppard, 307 Minn. 250, 262-63, 239 N.W.2d 905, 913 (1976).
The Commissioner’s efforts to establish separate decision makers (whereby the hospital medical staff requests use of neuro-leptics and a county social worker approves such use) are insufficient to satisfy the procedural requirements of the Minnesota Constitution under Jarvis and Price. In particular, the interests of the patient are inadequately protected where the imposition of an intrusive form of treatment such as the unwanted administration of neuro-leptic medication rests ultimately in the discretion of the official charged with administration of the state hospital system. See Jarvis, 418 N.W.2d at 144-47 (Minnesota Constitution requires that as part of the judicial review to be conducted before involuntary administration of neuroleptic medication, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the interests of the patient and conduct an adversary proceeding to determine the necessity and reasonableness of the prescribed treatment); Price, 307 Minn. at 262 n. 11, 239 N.W.2d at 913 n. 11 (those considered for appointment as guardian ad litem should not include those responsible for the patient’s commitment). I would reverse the trial court’s denial of Blilie’s petition on this issue and enjoin the state from administering neuroleptic medications to mentally retarded patients without appointment of a guardian ad litem and a court order.