Involuntary commitment; court may appoint counsel for a minor in proceedings seeking approval. (SB1303)

Introduced By

Sen. Robert Hurt (R-Chatham)

Description

Involuntary mental health commitment. Provides that a court may, in its discretion, appoint counsel for a minor in proceedings seeking judicial approval of the admission by the parents of a minor 14 years of age or older who is incapable of making an informed decision or who objects to the admission and provides that a court may, in its discretion, appoint a guardian ad litem for a minor who is the subject of an involuntary commitment petition. Currently, the court is required to appoint both a guardian ad litem and counsel in both circumstances. The bill also removes authority for monitoring compliance with mandatory outpatient treatment from special justices and places it with district court judges (currently it can be done by either) and allows recordings of hearings to be electronic or digital. Amends § 16.1-339 (“Parental admission of an objecting minor 14 years of age or older.”), § 16.1-341 (“Involuntary commitment; petition; hearing scheduled; notice and appointment of counsel.”), § 37.2-803 (“Special justices to perform duties of judge.”), § 37.2-817 (“Involuntary admission and mandatory outpatient treatment orders.”), § 37.2-818 (“Commitment hearing for involuntary admission; recordings and records.”), of the Code of Virginia. View Full Text »

Outcome

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