2021 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
Title 15 - Criminal Procedure
§830.1. Refusal of treatment by inmates with mental illness or intellectual disability

RS 830.1 - Refusal of treatment by inmates with mental illness or intellectual disability

A. Whenever an inmate with a mental illness or an intellectual disability refuses treatment and any staff physician, staff psychiatrist, or consulting psychiatrist of the institution certifies that the treatment is necessary to prevent harm or injury to the inmate or to others, such treatment will be permitted for a period not to exceed fifteen days. If treatment for a longer period is deemed necessary, a petition shall be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction setting forth the reasons for the treatment. Treatment shall continue while the hearing is pending. After a hearing at which the inmate with a mental illness or intellectual disability is represented by counsel, the court shall determine whether the inmate is competent and, if not, he shall order that appropriate treatment be provided. If the inmate does not have counsel, the court shall appoint an attorney to represent him. Reasonable attorney fees shall be fixed by the judge and paid by the state.

B. Treatment shall be administered at a treatment facility as designated by law, or at a facility under the control or supervision of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections that has been designated by the Louisiana Department of Health and the Department of Public Safety and Corrections as a treatment facility.

C. Commitments pursuant to this Section shall be in accord with all procedures required by law in the case of judicial commitment. Nothing herein shall be construed to preclude any person in the custody of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections from any commitment or admission as may be otherwise provided by law.

Added by Acts 1978, No. 762, §1. Amended by Acts 1980, No. 609, §1, eff. July 23, 1980; Acts 1987, No. 96, §1; Acts 2014, No. 811, §7, eff. June 23, 2014.