2023 South Dakota Codified Laws
Title 27A - Mentally Ill Persons
Chapter 15 - Treatment Of Minors
Section 27A-15-3 - Separation of minors from adult patients--Exception.
27A-15-3. Separation of minors from adult patients--Exception.
Except as otherwise provided in this section, a minor, whether admitted by a parent or involuntarily committed, may not be placed with adult patients, if the inpatient psychiatric facility maintains a separate unit for minors.
A minor may be admitted or committed to a facility that does not maintain a separate unit for minors, only for acute treatment and evaluation and only for a period not to exceed seven working days. The facility shall provide separate sleeping quarters and separate day areas in which adult patients are not permitted.
A patient who does not meet the definition of a minor, as set forth in §27A-15-1, but is less than nineteen years of age, may be placed in a separate unit with minors if the patient:
(1)Is enrolled in a high school or pursuing high school equivalency; and
(2)Consents to the placement.
The facility shall provide a separate evaluation program for which specific guidelines must be approved by the Department of Health.
Source: SL 1991, ch 220, §293; SL 1992, ch 194; SL 2022, ch 86, §1.
