Bill > H1071

This bill aims to provide more timely treatment of inpatient mental health care. It proposes several changes to existing laws: 1) Requiring hospitals to provide evening and night coverage for inpatient mental health facilities consistent with national standards. 2) Mandating that independent medical examinations requested by indigent persons or their counsel be completed within 3 business days of the request, and removing the ability to request a delay. 3) Removing the ability to request a delay in certain court hearings related to involuntary commitment and treatment orders. 4) Reducing the time frame for certain court hearings related to involuntary commitment from 14 days to 5 days. 5) Requiring the court to hear certain motions related to guardianship of patients in inpatient mental health facilities within 7 days of the filing of the petition. 6) Directing the Department of Children and Families and the Child Advocate's Office to develop a facilitated process and time frame for administering antipsychotic medication to youths in their custody who are hospitalized in inpatient psychiatric facilities.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H1071