2016 Oklahoma Statutes
Title 43A. Mental Health
§43A-5-507. Admission of alleged deprived child or ward of court – Initial assessment – Mental health evaluation – Petition – Parent having physical custody.

A. No minor who is placed into emergency, temporary or permanent custody of a state agency pursuant to Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes shall be admitted to a hospital or mental health or substance abuse treatment facility:

1. On an emergency basis except as provided by this section;

2. For inpatient treatment except upon a commitment order of the court pursuant to the provisions of subsection D of this section and after a finding that the minor requires such services as provided by Section 5-512 of this title.

B. After an initial assessment and a determination that a minor is a minor in need of treatment, the minor may be admitted to a hospital or mental health or substance abuse treatment facility on an emergency basis for a period not to exceed five (5) days from the time of admission, excluding weekends and holidays. On the next business day following admission, notice of such admission shall be given by the person responsible for the supervision of the case, as applicable, to the minor's attorney, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) or guardian ad litem, the court and district attorney.

C. A minor admitted on an emergency basis pursuant to this section shall be evaluated and the mental health evaluation submitted to the district attorney within forty-eight (48) hours of admission, excluding weekends and holidays. The mental health evaluation shall be performed by a licensed mental health professional at the facility.

D. If after an inpatient or outpatient mental health evaluation it appears that the minor may require inpatient treatment, the district attorney shall file a petition as provided by Section 5-509 of this title within three (3) days after receiving the mental health evaluation requesting an order committing the minor to a facility for inpatient treatment. After the filing of a petition and upon issuance of a prehearing detention order, the minor may be detained in the facility for no longer than necessary for a hearing on the petition as provided by Section 5-510 of this title or further order of the court.

E. Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to preclude or prohibit a parent having physical custody of a minor who is a ward of the court from arranging for an emergency admission of the minor. In such cases, the parent shall immediately notify the person responsible for the supervision of the case of the admission.

Added by Laws 1992, c. 298, § 7, eff. July 1, 1993. Amended by Laws 1994, c. 156, § 2, eff. July 1, 1994; Laws 1995, c. 254, § 6, eff. Nov. 1, 1995; Laws 1997, c. 386, § 22, emerg. eff. June 10, 1997; Laws 2002, c. 327, § 7, eff. July 1, 2002; Laws 2003, c. 130, § 7, eff. Nov. 1, 2003; Laws 2006, c. 97, § 29, eff. Nov. 1, 2006; Laws 2009, c. 234, § 140, emerg. eff. May 21, 2009; Laws 2013, c. 404, § 25, eff. Nov. 1, 2013.