Bill > HB860

This bill, known as the Petitions for Emergency Evaluation (Arnaud and Magruder Memorial Act), modifies the process for emergency mental health evaluations by specifying that a petition for such an evaluation is valid for five days after a court endorses it, meaning a judge has reviewed it and found probable cause to believe the individual has symptoms of a mental disorder and poses a danger to themselves or others. The bill also allows a court, upon a specific request and for good cause shown, to extend the petition's validity for up to five additional days at a time, with a total extension limit of thirty days from the original court endorsement, provided the initial grounds for the petition still exist and there was a valid reason why it couldn't be served sooner. Furthermore, the court must now clearly state the expiration date and time on the petition, and peace officers, who are law enforcement officers, are required to follow specific legal provisions when carrying out these petitions, including acting in accordance with public safety laws and potentially being joined by a mobile crisis team if practical.