US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

§27-7-4. Readmission of patients.

While any involuntary patient is out of the mental health facility under the provisions of section two or section three of this article, he may be readmitted to the mental health facility on the basis of the original commitment. If there is reason to believe that it is in the best interest of the patient to be hospitalized, the chief medical officer of the mental health facility may issue a sworn notice for the immediate rehospitalization of the patient which notice shall contain facts concerning the condition of the patient. This notice shall be sent to the circuit court or mental hygiene commissioner or to the clerk of the circuit court which ordered his admission as the case may be, and to the clerk of the circuit court of the county of the patient's residence. Upon receipt of such notice, the circuit court may, if satisfied that the condition of the patient warrants his return, authorize any health officer or police officer to take the patient into custody and transport him to a mental health facility where the notice originated.