2018 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 43 - Commitment Procedures
Article 1 - Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
Section 43-1-13 - Involuntary commitment of developmentally disabled adults to residential care.

A. A guardian appointed pursuant to the Uniform Probate Code [Chapter 45 NMSA 1978] may file an application with an evaluation facility seeking residential habilitation services for the protected person. The application shall set forth the basis for the guardian's belief that residential habilitation is necessary and shall include a copy of pertinent medical and psychological evaluations that have been completed.

B. Upon receipt of an application filed according to Subsection A of this section, an evaluation facility may accept the proposed client for a period of evaluation and treatment not to exceed fourteen days. An evaluation facility shall prepare an individualized habilitation plan that shall be consistent with the least drastic means principle.

C. If the habilitation plan recommends residential services, the evaluation facility shall file with the court a petition for extended residential placement. Upon receipt of the petition, the court shall appoint an attorney to represent the proposed client. Notice of the hearing scheduled on the petition and a copy of the habilitation plan shall be given to the proposed client, the client's attorney and the client's guardian. The petition shall contain a list of the names and addresses of proposed witnesses.

D. At the hearing on the petition, the proposed client shall be represented by counsel and shall have the right to present evidence on the proposed client's behalf, including testimony of a developmental disability professional of the proposed client's choosing; to cross-examine witnesses; to be present at the hearing; and to trial by a six-person jury, if requested. A complete record of the hearing shall be made. There shall be a right to an expeditious appeal.

E. The guardian of an adult involved in a commitment proceeding for extended residential habilitation services shall have automatic standing to appear at all stages of the proceeding and shall be allowed to testify by telephone or through affidavit if circumstances make live testimony too burdensome.

F. The court shall include in its findings the guardian's opinion regarding the need for residential habilitation services or a statement detailing the efforts made to ascertain the guardian's opinion.

G. The court shall order residential placement of the proposed client if it is established by clear and convincing evidence that the proposed client has a developmental disability that creates an imminent likelihood of serious harm to the proposed client's self or to others, or the person is so greatly disabled that residential services would be in the person's best interest and that such residential placement is, in the person's case, the least drastic means. The court's order of residential placement shall be for a period not to exceed six months. At the expiration of the commitment order, the client may be detained only after a new commitment hearing, unless waived after consultation with the client's attorney, and entry of a new order for commitment not to exceed six months.

H. The court shall order placement that is least restrictive to the client and may order attendance and participation as a nonresident in habilitation programs conducted at residential or nonresidential facilities.

I. Any client involuntarily referred for habilitation treatment shall be entitled to a reexamination of the order for the client's involuntary referral for habilitation and treatment on the client's own petition, or that of the client's legal guardian, parent, spouse, relative or friend, to the district court of the county in which the client resides or is detained. Upon receipt of the petition, the court shall conduct or cause to be conducted by a special commissioner a proceeding in accordance with this section, except that a proceeding shall not be required to be conducted if the petition is filed sooner than sixty days after the issuance of the order for involuntary referral for habilitation and treatment or sooner than sixty days after the filing of a previous petition under this subsection.

J. Nothing in this section shall limit the right of a client to petition the court for a writ of habeas corpus.

K. No developmental disabilities treatment or habilitation facility is required to detain, treat or provide services to a client when the client does not appear to require detention, treatment or habilitation.

History: 1953 Comp., § 34-2A-12, enacted by Laws 1977, ch. 279, § 12; 1978, ch. 161, § 7; 2009, ch. 159, § 16.

Cross references. — For Office of Guardianship Act, see 28-16B-1 NMSA 1978.

The 2009 amendment, effective June 19, 2009, in Subsection A, deleted "the department or" and changed "ward" to "the protected person"; in Subsection B, deleted "the department or" and added "an"; in Subsection C, deleted "department or"; and added Subsections E and F.

Petition for court order provides adversary hearing. — A petition for a court order under this section does not involve a judicial review of administrative action. Rather it provides for an adversary hearing between the health and environment department (now the department of health) and the patient. State v. Clayton, 1981-NMCA-018, 95 N.M. 644, 625 P.2d 99.

Court may order specific placement. — Subsections E and F authorize the district court to order the specific placement of an individual client within an adequate habilitation program. State v. Clayton, 1981-NMCA-018, 95 N.M. 644, 625 P.2d 99.

Commitment facility as site for hearing. — Absent a showing by the "developmentally disabled" person that his substantive rights have in any way been abridged if his involuntary commitment hearing is not held at the county seat, the district court is not precluded from adopting the practice of holding such hearings at the commitment facility when, in its discretion, such practice would better serve the public convenience. 1979 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 79-20.

Law reviews. — For article, "Treating Children Under the New Mexico Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code," see 10 N.M.L. Rev. 279 (1980).

For article, "Habeas Corpus in New Mexico," see 11 N.M.L. Rev. 291 (1981).

For comment, "Mental Health Law - Temporary Detention of 'Voluntary' Patients by Hospital Authorities: Due Process Issues," see 12 N.M.L. Rev. 791 (1982).

Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — Modern status of rules as to standard of proof required in civil commitment proceedings, 97 A.L.R.3d 780.

Necessity and sufficiency of statements informing one under investigation for involuntary commitment of right to remain silent, 23 A.L.R.4th 563.