HB284 Alabama 2021 Session

Existing law provides that a person may file a petition in the probate court seeking the involuntary commitment of another person. The law also provides for the proper procedure to be followed by the probate court in making determinations arising from these petitions

This bill would authorize a law enforcement officer from a designated law enforcement agency to, under certain circumstances, bypass the traditional involuntary commitment process in order to take an individual whom the officer believes has a mental illness into protective custody

This bill would provide for the transportation of the individual to a hospital or other facility for evaluation and treatment

This bill would provide protection from civil liability to law enforcement officers, medical facilities, and medical personnel

This bill would also repeal any local law that conflicts with the provisions of this bill or that establishes a similar program for placing individuals in protective custody for mental health issues

Relating to emergency treatment of mental illness; to authorize a law enforcement officer from a designated law enforcement agency to take an individual whom the officer believes has a mental illness into protective custody under certain conditions; to provide for the transportation of the individual to a hospital or other facility for evaluation and treatment; to provide protection from civil liability to law enforcement officers, medical facilities, and medical personnel under certain conditions; and to repeal Sections 45-3-172, 45-23-171, 45-27-171, and 45-35-171, Code of Alabama 1975, pertaining to emergency treatment of mental illness.