What Is Involuntary Commitment In Texas?
Involuntary commitment, also known as civil commitment, occurs when a court mandates treatment for individuals with severe mental illness in either a hospital or community setting. The process is governed by laws that differ from state to state across the U.S. In Texas, the Texas Health and Safety Code details the specific procedures and criteria for involuntary commitment.
Criteria For Commitment
In Texas, authorities can involuntarily commit an individual if they are mentally ill and pose a serious risk of harm to themselves or others. Additionally, commitment is possible if the individual suffers severe distress and cannot make rational decisions about their treatment.
Emergency Detention
A peace officer or a physician can detain a person for a short period without a court order if the person poses an immediate threat to themselves or others.
Application for Court-Ordered Treatment
If longer-term treatment becomes necessary, a physician, peace officer, or mental health professional must file an application for court-ordered treatment with the county court.
Court Hearing
“After filing the application, we schedule a court hearing. The individual has the right to legal representation, and if they cannot afford one, we will appoint an attorney for them. During the hearing, we present evidence, and the judge determines whether the individual meets the criteria for involuntary commitment.”
Duration of Commitment
If the judge determines that the individual meets the criteria, the judge can order them to inpatient treatment for up to 90 days initially. If necessary, we can extend the commitment, but each extension requires a new court hearing.
Rights of the Individual
Involuntarily committed individuals retain specific rights. They receive information about the reasons for their detention, access to legal representation, the ability to communicate with others, and treatment with dignity and respect.
Release
An individual can leave involuntary commitment once they no longer meet the criteria, a decision typically made by the treating physician.
It’s important to note that the goal of involuntary commitment is to ensure the safety of the individual and the public while providing necessary mental health treatment. The process balances the individual’s rights with the need for treatment and safety.
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What Is The Legal Process?
Involuntary commitment in Texas describes the legal process that court orders individuals believed to be suffering from mental illness to receive mental health services. The Texas Health and Safety Code, specifically Chapter 574, which deals with court-ordered mental health services, governs this process.
Application for Court-Ordered Mental Health Services (Sec. 574.001)
A county or district attorney or another adult can file a sworn written application for court-ordered mental health services.
File the application with the county clerk in the county where the proposed patient resides, is found, or receives court-ordered mental health services.
If you do not file the application in the county of the proposed patient’s residence, you can transfer it to that county if you show good cause.
Form of Application (Sec. 574.002)
The application must be styled using the proposed patient’s initials, not their full name.
It must state whether the application is for temporary or extended mental health services. For extended inpatient services, it must state that the person has received court-ordered inpatient services for at least 60 consecutive days in the preceding 12 months.
The application must include specific information, such as the proposed patient’s name, address, county of residence, a statement indicating their mental illness and meeting the criteria for court-ordered services, and whether they face criminal charges.
Criteria for Commitment
We believe the proposed patient has a mental illness and fulfills the criteria outlined in Sections 574.034, 574.0345, 574.035, or 574.0355 for court-ordered mental health services. These sections specify the particular conditions and circumstances that warrant commitment, but the current data does not provide them.
Appointment and Duties of Attorney (Sec. 574.003 & 574.004)
The judge appoints an attorney to represent the proposed patient within 24 hours after filing the application if they don’t already have one.
The attorney has several duties, including interviewing the proposed patient, discussing the law and facts of the case, reviewing the application and medical records, and advocating for the patient’s rights and wishes.
Setting on Application (Sec. 574.005)
The court sets a hearing date within 14 days after filing the application.
If the proposed patient or their attorney objects, the hearing cannot take place in the first three days after filing.
The court can grant continuances, but the hearing must occur no later than the 30th day after filing the application.
Notice (Sec. 574.006)
We must provide the proposed patient and their attorney with a copy of the application and written notice of the hearing time and place immediately after setting the hearing date.
We must also give notice to the proposed patient’s parent (if a minor), guardian, or conservator.
This information provides an overview of the process and criteria for involuntary commitment in Texas.
How Can You Be Detain For A Involuntary Commitment
In Texas, Chapter 573 of the Texas Health and Safety Code outlines the process for emergency detention, which can lead to involuntary commitment. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how authorities can detain a person for emergency detention:
Apprehension by Peace Officer Without a Warrant (Sec. 573.001)
A peace officer can take a person into custody without a warrant if the officer believes the person has a mental illness. If the mental illness poses a substantial risk of serious harm, authorities must immediately restrain the person to protect them and others.
The officer believes there isn’t enough time to obtain a warrant before taking the person into custody.
We can demonstrate the risk of harm through the person’s behavior or by providing evidence of severe emotional distress and deterioration in their mental condition to the extent that they cannot remain at liberty.
We base this belief on a credible person’s representation, the person’s conduct, or the circumstances under which we find them.
Once taken into custody, the peace officer must immediately transport the person to the nearest appropriate inpatient mental health facility or a facility deemed suitable by the local mental health authority. We do not consider jails or similar detention facilities suitable unless in extreme emergencies.
If we detain someone in a non-medical facility, we must keep them separate from any individual charged with or convicted of a crime.
The peace officer must immediately inform the person of the reason for detention and that a staff member of the facility will inform them of their rights within 24 hours after admission.
Peace Officer’s Notification of Detention (Sec. 573.002)
After transporting a person for emergency detention, the peace officer must immediately file a notification of detention with the facility.
The notification must contain specific details, including the reason for believing the person has a mental illness and the risk of harm. It should also have a detailed description of the behavior, acts, or threats that led to the detention.
Transportation for Emergency Detention by Guardian (Sec. 573.003):
A guardian can transport an adult ward to an inpatient mental health facility. They must believe the ward has a mental illness. We allow this if the mental illness poses a substantial risk of serious harm. The harm must be immediate and restrained. The ward’s behavior or severe emotional distress must demonstrate this risk.
Guardian’s Application for Emergency Detention (Sec. 573.004):
After transporting a ward for emergency detention, the guardian must immediately file an application for detention with the facility.
The application must contain specific details similar to the peace officer’s notification, including the reason for believing the ward has a mental illness, the risk of harm, and a detailed description of the behavior, acts, or threats.
Transportation for Emergency Detention by Emergency Medical Services Provider (Sec. 573.005)
A law enforcement agency and an emergency medical services provider can execute a memorandum of understanding allowing emergency medical services personnel to transport a person taken into custody by a peace officer.
This process ensures the safe detention and evaluation of individuals who, due to mental illness, pose a risk to themselves or others, by mental health professionals. The goal is to deliver necessary care and treatment while also safeguarding the community’s safety.
What Rights Do I Have After I’ve Been Taken To An Inpatient Mental Health Facility?
When you arrive at an inpatient mental health facility in Texas, Chapter 576 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, titled “Rights of Patients,” outlines several rights that you have.
Constitutional and Legal Rights (Sec. 576.001)
You have the rights, benefits, responsibilities, and privileges guaranteed by the constitution and laws of the United States and Texas.
Unless a specific law limits a right under a special procedure, you hold the right to register and vote, acquire, use, and dispose of property, initiate or face lawsuits, enjoy all rights linked to licenses, permits, privileges, or benefits, exercise religious freedom, and maintain all rights associated with domestic relations.
Presumption of Competency (Sec. 576.002):
Being provided with mental health services does not determine or adjudicate you as mentally incompetent. You retain your rights as a citizen, property rights, and legal capacity. There’s a presumption that you are mentally competent unless a judicial finding states otherwise.
Writ of Habeas Corpus (Sec. 576.003):
You have the right to file a petition for a writ of habeas corpus in the court of appeals in the county where the order was entered.
Confidentiality of Records (Sec. 576.005):
The mental health facility keeps your records confidential unless other state laws permit disclosure.
Rights Subject to Limitation (Sec. 576.006):
You have the right to receive visitors, communicate with people outside the facility by telephone and uncensored mail, and communicate with legal counsel, the department, the courts, and the state attorney general. These rights are subject to the facility’s general rules. However, the physician responsible for your treatment can restrict them if necessary for your welfare or to protect another person. We must document any such restriction, and we must inform you of the reasons and duration of the restriction.
Notification of Rights (Sec. 576.009)
You must receive information about the rights this subtitle provides, both orally in simple terms and in writing in your primary language, or through means suitable for visually or hearing-impaired individuals.
Rights Relating to Treatment (Sec. 576.021):
You have the right to appropriate treatment for your mental illness in the least restrictive setting, not to receive unnecessary or excessive medication, refuse participation in research programs, have an individualized treatment plan and participate in its development, and a humane treatment environment that provides reasonable protection from harm and appropriate privacy.
Adequacy of Treatment (Sec. 576.022):
The facility administrator must provide adequate medical and psychiatric care and treatment in accordance with the highest standards accepted in medical practice.
Use of Physical Restraint (Sec. 576.024):
A physician must prescribe physical restraint, and someone must remove it as soon as possible. You must document each use of restraint and its reason in your clinical record.
Administration of Psychoactive Medication (Sec. 576.025):
You cannot receive psychoactive medication if you refuse, except in specific circumstances like a medication-related emergency, if a legal representative consents, or a court order authorizes it.
This summary outlines your rights upon being taken to an inpatient mental health facility in Texas. If you’d like more detailed information or specifics on other sections, I can continue to retrieve more data for you. Would you like me to do that?
Conclusion
In conclusion, involuntary commitment, or civil commitment, provides necessary treatment for individuals with severe mental illness who cannot or do not seek help independently. Regulated by the Texas Health and Safety Code, this process aims to balance individual rights with public safety and personal health needs. Families, healthcare providers, and legal professionals must understand these laws as they navigate the complexities of mental health care and legal interventions in Texas. By ensuring that those in need receive proper care, the system seeks to safeguard both individuals and the wider community.
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Involuntary Commitment FAQs
Involuntary commitment in Texas is a legal process where individuals with severe mental illness may be court-ordered to receive treatment if they pose a risk to themselves or others.
Individuals can be committed if they are mentally ill and pose a substantial risk of harm to themselves or others, or if they are unable to make rational decisions about their treatment due to their mental state.
A person can be detained without a warrant by a peace officer if they believe the person has a mental illness and poses an immediate risk of harm.
Patients have the right to be treated with dignity, communicate with legal counsel, receive visitors, and participate in their treatment plan, among other rights.
The initial court order for involuntary commitment can last up to 90 days, and it can be extended if the court finds it necessary.
Bryan Fagan, a native of Atascocita, Texas, is a dedicated family law attorney inspired by John Grisham’s “The Pelican Brief.” He is the first lawyer in his family, which includes two adopted brothers. Bryan’s commitment to family is personal and professional; he cared for his grandmother with Alzheimer’s while completing his degree and attended the South Texas College of Law at night.
Married with three children, Bryan’s personal experiences enrich his understanding of family dynamics, which is central to his legal practice. He specializes in family law, offering innovative and efficient legal services. A certified member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, Bryan is part of an elite group of legal professionals committed to ongoing education and high-level expertise.
His legal practice covers divorce, custody disputes, property disputes, adoption, paternity, and mediation. Bryan is also experienced in drafting marital property agreements. He leads a team dedicated to complex family law cases and protecting families from false CPS allegations.
Based in Houston, Bryan is active in the Houston Family Law Sector of the Houston Bar Association and various family law groups in Texas. His deep understanding of family values and his professional dedication make him a compassionate advocate for families navigating Texas family law.
