SB 3129

Abstract

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code and the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act. Changes the definition of "dangerous conduct" to mean threatening behavior or conduct that places another individual or the person engaging in the behavior or conduct (rather than places another individual) in reasonable expectation of being harmed, or a person's inability to provide, without the assistance of family or outside help, for his or her basic physical needs so as to guard himself or herself from serious harm. Extends the lists of possible medical practitioners who must examine a person subject to an involuntary admission petition and execute a certificate stating whether involuntary admission and immediate hospitalization is appropriate, to include a psychiatrist (rather than a physician, qualified examiner, or clinical psychologist only). Contains provisions regarding the amount of time a mental health facility can temporarily detain a person for examination; the situations under which a person can be released from a mental health facility following the initial examination period and the court filing of a certificate stating whether involuntary admission and immediate hospitalization is appropriate; additional persons who are entitled to inspect and copy an admitted person's mental health records; additional agencies that may disclose a person's mental health records and communications to other agencies; and other matters. Effective immediately.