HB 2958: Ensuring a parent or guardian has authority to admit and keep a minor child into a treatment facility for chemical dependency treatment for fourteen days

HB 2958 would amend current statute relating to arresting officers taking juveniles whom they believe to have a mental disorder or are suffer from chemical dependency to an evaluation and treatment facility or a facility or program identified by agreement of the prosecutor and law enforcement. Current law states the juvenile can be held for up to twelve hours. The amendment would change this timeline to 14 days. Additionally, the amendments would require the juvenile’s parent or guardian be notified upon their release. The bill would also add language identifying parents or guardians have the authority to admit any minor child to a chemical dependency treatment program and keep a them in this program for fourteen days. The bill would also eliminate language indicating the minor’s request for outpatient treatment is contingent upon the minor’s written consent or if the treatment program director determines the minor lacks capacity to make a rational choice regarding consent.