HB5254: Relating generally to the creation of mental hygiene regions by the Supreme Court of Appeals

Legislative Summary

The purpose of this bill is to allow the Supreme Court of Appeals to employ full-time mental hygiene commissioners with statewide jurisdiction to conduct mental hygiene proceedings in designated regions. The bill also creates a new system of temporary observation releases to ensure continued compliance with treatment plans and to allow for more efficient follow-up commitment if criteria have returned. Finally, the bill allows evaluators to conduct evaluations statewide and requires Certified Community Mental Health Centers to ensure that at least one examiner is available to provide coverage in each region at all hours and limits who may perform these evaluations.