PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 1307, 1468               PRINTER'S NO. 1566

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA


SENATE BILL

No. 1105 Session of 1977


        INTRODUCED BY COPPERSMITH AND DOUGHERTY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1977

        AS AMENDED ON THIRD CONSIDERATION, JANUARY 30, 1978

                                     AN ACT

     1  Amending the act of July 9, 1976 (P.L.817, No.143), entitled "An
     2     act relating to mental health procedures; providing for the
     3     treatment and rights of mentally disabled persons, for
     4     voluntary and involuntary examination and treatment and for
     5     determinations affecting those charged with crime or under
     6     sentence," further providing for mental health review
     7     officers, for the use of statistical data, for immunity and
     8     for involuntary treatment; excluding Sundays from the          <--
     9     computation of time; and providing for a return to inpatient
    10     status, for a stay of proceedings of a person charged with a
    11     crime and for voluntary treatment of a person charged with a
    12     crime or serving a sentence.

    13     The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
    14  hereby enacts as follows:
    15     Section 1.  Sections 102, 109, 110, 114, 201 and 206,
    16  subsection (d) of section 302, subsections (a) and (c) of
    17  section 303 and sections 304 and 305, act of July 9, 1976
    18  (P.L.817, No.143), known as the "Mental Health Procedures Act,"
    19  are amended to read:
    20     Section 102.  Statement of Policy.--It is the policy of the
    21  Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to seek to assure the availability
    22  of adequate treatment to persons who are mentally ill, and it is
    23  the purpose of this act to establish procedures whereby this


     1  policy can be effected. Treatment on a voluntary basis shall be
     2  preferred to involuntary treatment; and in every case, the least
     3  restrictions consistent with adequate treatment shall be
     4  employed. Persons who are mentally retarded, senile, alcoholic,
     5  or drug dependent shall receive mental health treatment only if
     6  they are also diagnosed as mentally ill, but these conditions of
     7  themselves shall not be deemed to constitute mental illness.
     8  Chronically disabled persons 65 70 years of age or older who      <--
     9  have been continuously hospitalized in a State operated facility
    10  for at least two TEN years shall not be subject to the            <--
    11  procedures of this act. Such a person's inability to give a
    12  rational, informed consent shall not prohibit the department
    13  from continuing to provide all necessary treatment to such a
    14  person. However, if such a person protests treatment or
    15  residence at a State operated facility he shall be subject to
    16  the provisions of Article III.
    17     Section 109.  Mental Health Review Officer.--(a)  Legal
    18  proceedings concerning extended involuntary emergency treatment
    19  under section 303(c), [or] court-ordered involuntary treatment
    20  under section 304 or 305 or transfer hearings under section 306,
    21  may be conducted by a judge of the court of common pleas or by a
    22  mental health review officer authorized by the court to conduct
    23  the proceedings. Mental health review officers shall be members
    24  of the bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, without
    25  restriction as to the county of their residence and where
    26  possible should be familiar with the field of mental health.
    27  They shall be appointed by the respective courts of common pleas
    28  for terms not to exceed one year, and may be reappointed to
    29  successive terms. Law-trained municipal court judges may be
    30  appointed mental health review officers.
    19770S1105B1566                  - 2 -

     1     (b)  In all cases in which the hearing is conducted by a
     2  mental health review officer, a person made subject to treatment
     3  shall have the right to petition the court of common pleas for
     4  review of the certification. A hearing shall be held within 72
     5  hours after the petition is filed unless a continuance is
     6  requested by the person's counsel. The hearing shall include a
     7  review of the certification and such evidence as the court may
     8  receive or require. If the court determines that further
     9  involuntary treatment is necessary and that the procedures
    10  prescribed by this act have been followed, it shall deny the
    11  petition. Otherwise, the person shall be discharged.
    12     (c)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, no
    13  judge or mental health review officer shall specify to the
    14  treatment team THE ADOPTION OF any treatment technique,           <--
    15  modality, OR drug therapies or wards in a facility. THERAPY.      <--
    16     Section 110.  Written Applications, Petitions, Statements and
    17  Certifications.--(a)  All written statements pursuant to section
    18  302(a)(2), and all applications, petitions, and certifications
    19  required under the provisions of this act shall be made subject
    20  to the penalties provided under 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904 (relating to
    21  unsworn falsification to authorities) and shall contain a notice
    22  to that effect.
    23     (b)  All such applications, petitions, statements and
    24  certifications shall be filed with the county administrator in
    25  the county where the person was made subject to examination and
    26  treatment and such other county in the Commonwealth, if any, in
    27  which the person usually resides.
    28     (c)  Subsections (a) and (b) shall not apply to patients
    29  admitted pursuant to Article II when no part of the patient's
    30  care is provided with public funds provided that the department
    19770S1105B1566                  - 3 -

     1  may require facilities to report clinical and statistical
     2  information so long as the data does not identify individual
     3  patients.
     4     (d)  No public official acting in an official capacity shall
     5  be required to pay the court of common pleas any filing fee
     6  which in the absence of this provision would be required upon
     7  the filing of a petition for involuntary treatment under this
     8  act.
     9     Section 114.  Immunity from Civil and Criminal Liability.--
    10  (a)  In the absence of willful misconduct or gross negligence, a
    11  county administrator, a director of a facility, a physician, a
    12  peace officer or any other authorized person who participates in
    13  a decision that a person be examined or treated under this act,
    14  or that a person be discharged, or placed under partial
    15  hospitalization, outpatient care or leave of absence, or that
    16  the restraint upon such person be otherwise reduced, or a county
    17  administrator or other authorized person who denies an
    18  application for voluntary treatment or for involuntary emergency
    19  examination and treatment, shall not be civilly or criminally
    20  liable for such decision or for any of its consequences.
    21     (b)  A judge or a mental health review officer shall not be
    22  civilly or criminally liable for any actions taken or decisions
    23  made by him pursuant to the authority conferred by this act.
    24     Section 201.  Persons Who May Authorize Voluntary
    25  Treatment.--Any person 14 years of age or over who believes that
    26  he is in need of treatment and substantially understands the
    27  nature of voluntary [commitment] treatment may submit himself to
    28  examination and treatment under this act, provided that the
    29  decision to do so is made voluntarily. A parent, guardian, or
    30  person standing in loco parentis to a child less than 14 years
    19770S1105B1566                  - 4 -

     1  of age may subject such child to examination and treatment under
     2  this act, and in so doing shall be deemed to be acting for the
     3  child. Except as otherwise authorized in this act, all of the
     4  provisions of this act governing examination and treatment shall
     5  apply.
     6     Section 206.  Withdrawal from Voluntary Inpatient
     7  Treatment.--(a)  A person in voluntary inpatient treatment may
     8  withdraw at any time by giving written notice unless, as stated
     9  in section 203, he has agreed in writing at the time of his
    10  admission that his release can be delayed following such notice
    11  for a period to be specified in the agreement, provided that
    12  such period shall not exceed 72 hours. Any patient converted
    13  from involuntary treatment ordered pursuant to either section
    14  304 or 305 to voluntary treatment status shall agree to remain
    15  in treatment for 72 hours after having given written notice of
    16  his intent to withdraw from treatment.
    17     (b)  If the person is under the age of 14, his parent, legal
    18  guardian, or person standing in loco parentis may effect his
    19  release. If any responsible party believes that it would be in
    20  the best interest of a person under 14 years of age in voluntary
    21  treatment to be withdrawn therefrom or afforded treatment
    22  constituting a less restrictive alternative, such party may file
    23  a petition in the Juvenile Division of the court of common pleas
    24  for the county in which the person under 14 years of age
    25  resides, requesting a withdrawal from or modification of
    26  treatment. The court shall promptly appoint an attorney for such
    27  minor person and schedule a hearing to determine what inpatient
    28  treatment, if any, is in the minor's best interest. The hearing
    29  shall be held within ten days of receipt of the petition, unless
    30  continued upon the request of the attorney for such minor. The
    19770S1105B1566                  - 5 -

     1  hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the rules
     2  governing other Juvenile Court proceedings.
     3     (c)  Nothing in this act shall be construed to require a
     4  facility to continue inpatient treatment where the director of
     5  the facility determines such treatment is not medically
     6  indicated. Any dispute between a facility and a county
     7  administrator as to the medical necessity for voluntary
     8  inpatient treatment of a person shall be decided by the
     9  Commissioner of Mental Health or his designate.
    10     Section 302.  Involuntary Emergency Examination and Treatment
    11  Authorized by a Physician - Not to Exceed [Seventy-two Hours]
    12  One Hundred Twenty Hours.-- * * *
    13     (d)  Duration of Emergency Examination and Treatment.--A
    14  person who is in treatment pursuant to this section shall be
    15  discharged whenever it is determined that he no longer is in
    16  need of treatment and in any event within [72 hours,] 120 hours,
    17  unless within such period:
    18     (1)  he is admitted to voluntary treatment pursuant to
    19  section 202 of this act; or
    20     (2)  a certification for extended involuntary emergency
    21  treatment is filed pursuant to section 303 of this act.
    22     Section 303.  Extended Involuntary Emergency Treatment
    23  Certified by a Judge or Mental Health Review Officer - Not to
    24  Exceed Twenty Days.--(a)  Persons Subject to Extended
    25  Involuntary Emergency Treatment.--Application for extended
    26  involuntary emergency treatment may be made for any person who
    27  is being treated pursuant to section 302 whenever the facility
    28  determines that the need for emergency treatment is likely to
    29  extend beyond [72] 120 hours. The application shall be filed
    30  forthwith in the court of common pleas, and shall state the
    19770S1105B1566                  - 6 -

     1  grounds on which extended emergency treatment is believed to be
     2  necessary. The application shall state the name of any examining
     3  physician and the substance of his opinion regarding the mental
     4  condition of the person.
     5     * * *
     6     (c)  Informal [Hearing] Conference on Extended Emergency
     7  Treatment Application.--(1)  At the commencement of the informal
     8  [hearing] conference, the judge or the mental health review
     9  officer shall inform the person of the nature of the
    10  proceedings. Information relevant to whether the person is
    11  severely mentally disabled and in need of treatment shall be
    12  reviewed, including the reasons that continued involuntary
    13  treatment is considered necessary. Such explanation shall be
    14  made by a physician who examined the person and shall be in
    15  terms understandable to a layman. The judge or mental health
    16  review officer may review any relevant information even if it
    17  would be normally excluded under rules of evidence if he
    18  believes that such information is reliable. The person or his
    19  representative shall have the right to ask questions of the
    20  physician and of any other witnesses and to present any relevant
    21  information. At the conclusion of the review, if the judge or
    22  the review officer finds that the person is severely mentally
    23  disabled and in need of continued involuntary treatment, he
    24  shall so certify. Otherwise, he shall direct that the facility
    25  director or his designee discharge the person.
    26     (2)  A [stenographic or other sufficient] record of the
    27  proceedings which need not be a stenographic record shall be
    28  made. Such record shall be kept by the court or mental health
    29  review officer for at least one year.
    30     * * *
    19770S1105B1566                  - 7 -

     1     Section 304.  Court-ordered Involuntary Treatment Not to
     2  Exceed Ninety Days.--(a)  Persons for Whom Application May be
     3  Made.--(1) A person who is severely mentally disabled and in
     4  need of treatment, as defined in section 301(a), may be made
     5  subject to court-ordered involuntary treatment upon a
     6  determination of clear and present danger under section
     7  301(b)(1) (serious bodily harm to others), or section
     8  301(b)(2)(i) (inability to care for himself, creating a danger
     9  of death or serious harm to himself), or 301(b)(2)(ii)
    10  (attempted suicide), or 301(b)(2)(iii) (self-mutilation).
    11     (2)  Where a petition is filed for a person already subject
    12  to involuntary treatment, it shall be sufficient to represent,
    13  and upon hearing to reestablish, that the conduct originally
    14  required by section 301 in fact occurred, and that his condition
    15  continues to evidence a clear and present danger to himself or
    16  others. In such event, it shall not be necessary to show the
    17  reoccurrence of dangerous conduct, either harmful or
    18  debilitating, within the past 30 days.
    19     (b)  Procedures for Initiating Court-ordered Involuntary
    20  Treatment for Persons Already Subject to Involuntary
    21  Treatment.--(1)  Petition for court-ordered involuntary
    22  treatment for persons already subject to treatment under
    23  sections 303, 304 and 305 may be made by the county
    24  administrator or the director of the facility to the court of
    25  common pleas.
    26     (2)  The petition shall be in writing upon a form adopted by
    27  the department and shall include a statement of the facts
    28  constituting reasonable grounds to believe that the person is
    29  severely mentally disabled and in need of treatment. The
    30  petition shall state the name of any examining physician and the
    19770S1105B1566                  - 8 -

     1  substance of his opinion regarding the mental condition of the
     2  person. It shall also state that the person has been given the
     3  information required by subsection (b)(3). [and shall include
     4  copies of all documents relating to examination and treatment of
     5  the person which are required under this act.]
     6     (3)  Upon the filing of the petition the county administrator
     7  shall serve a copy on the person, his attorney, and those
     8  designated to be kept informed, as provided in section 302(c),
     9  including an explanation of the nature of the proceedings, the
    10  person's right to an attorney and the services of an expert in
    11  the field of mental health, as provided by subsection (d).
    12     (4)  A hearing on the petition shall be held in all cases,
    13  not more than five days after the filing of the petition.
    14     (5)  Treatment shall be permitted to be maintained pending
    15  the determination of the petition.
    16     (c)  Procedures for Initiating Court-ordered Involuntary
    17  Treatment for Persons not in Involuntary Treatment.--(1) Any
    18  responsible party may file a petition in the court of common
    19  pleas requesting court-ordered involuntary treatment for any
    20  person not already in involuntary treatment for whom application
    21  could be made under subsection (a).
    22     (2)  The petition shall be in writing upon a form adopted by
    23  the department and shall set forth facts constituting reasonable
    24  grounds to believe that the person is within the criteria for
    25  court-ordered treatment set forth in subsection (a). The
    26  petition shall state the name of any examining physician and the
    27  substance of his opinion regarding the mental condition of the
    28  person.
    29     (3)  Upon a determination that the petition sets forth such
    30  reasonable cause, the court shall appoint an attorney to
    19770S1105B1566                  - 9 -

     1  represent the person and set a date for the hearing as soon as
     2  practicable. The attorney shall represent the person unless it
     3  shall appear that he can afford, and desires to have, private
     4  representation.
     5     (4)  The court, by summons, shall direct the person to appear
     6  for a hearing. The court may issue a warrant directing a person
     7  authorized by the county administrator or a peace officer to
     8  bring such person before the court at the time of the hearing if
     9  there are reasonable grounds to believe that the person will not
    10  appear voluntarily. A copy of the petition shall be served on
    11  such person at least three days before the hearing together with
    12  a notice advising him that an attorney has been appointed who
    13  shall represent him unless he obtains an attorney himself, that
    14  he has a right to be assisted in the proceedings by an expert in
    15  the field of mental health, and that he may request or be made
    16  subject to psychiatric examination under subsection (c)(5).
    17     (5)  Upon motion of either the petitioner or the person, or
    18  upon its own motion, the court may order the person to be
    19  examined by a psychiatrist appointed by the court. Such
    20  examination shall be conducted on an outpatient basis, and the
    21  person shall have the right to have counsel present. A report of
    22  the examination shall be given to the court and counsel at least
    23  48 hours prior to the hearing.
    24     (6)  Involuntary treatment shall not be authorized during the
    25  pendency of a petition except in accordance with section 302 or
    26  section 303.
    27     (d)  Professional Assistance.--A person with respect to whom
    28  a hearing has been ordered under this section shall have and be
    29  informed of a right to employ a physician, clinical psychologist
    30  or other expert in mental health of his choice to assist him in
    19770S1105B1566                 - 10 -

     1  connection with the hearing and to testify on his behalf. If the
     2  person cannot afford to engage such a professional, the court
     3  shall, on application, allow a reasonable fee for such purpose.
     4  The fee shall be a charge against the mental health and mental
     5  retardation program of the locality.
     6     (e)  Hearings on Petition for Court-ordered Involuntary
     7  Treatment.--A hearing on a petition for court-ordered
     8  involuntary treatment shall be conducted according to the
     9  following:
    10     (1)  The person shall have the right to counsel and to the
    11  assistance of an expert in mental health.
    12     (2)  The person shall not be called as a witness without his
    13  consent.
    14     (3)  The person shall have the right to confront and cross-
    15  examine all witnesses and to present evidence in his own behalf.
    16     (4)  The hearing shall be public unless it is requested to be
    17  private by the person or his counsel.
    18     (5)  A stenographic or other sufficient record shall be made,
    19  which shall be impounded by the court and may be obtained or
    20  examined only upon the request of the person or his counsel or
    21  by order of the court on good cause shown.
    22     (6)  The hearing shall be conducted by a judge or by a mental
    23  health review officer and may be held at a location other than a
    24  courthouse when doing so appears to be in the best interest of
    25  the person.
    26     (7)  A decision shall be rendered within 48 hours after the
    27  close of evidence.
    28     (f)  Determination and Order.--Upon a finding by clear and
    29  convincing evidence that the person is severely mentally
    30  disabled and in need of treatment and subject to subsection (a),
    19770S1105B1566                 - 11 -

     1  an order shall be entered directing treatment of the person in
     2  an approved facility as an inpatient or an outpatient, or a
     3  combination of such treatment as the director of the facility
     4  shall from time to time determine. Inpatient treatment shall be
     5  deemed appropriate only after full consideration has been given
     6  to less restrictive alternatives. Investigation of treatment
     7  alternatives shall include consideration of the person's
     8  relationship to his community and family, his employment
     9  possibilities, all available community resources, and
    10  guardianship services. An order for inpatient treatment shall
    11  include findings on this issue.
    12     (g)  Duration of Court-ordered Involuntary Treatment.--(1) A
    13  person may be made subject to court-ordered involuntary
    14  treatment under this section for a period not to exceed 90 days,
    15  excepting only that: Persons may be made subject to court-
    16  ordered involuntary treatment under this section for a period
    17  not to exceed one year if the person meets the criteria
    18  established by clause (2).
    19     (2)  A person may be subject to court-ordered involuntary
    20  treatment for a period not to exceed one year if:
    21     (i)  severe mental disability is based on acts giving rise to
    22  the following charges under the Pennsylvania Crimes Code: murder
    23  (§ 2502); voluntary manslaughter (§ 2503); aggravated assault (§
    24  2702); kidnapping (§ 2901); rape (§ 3121(1) and (2));
    25  involuntary deviate sexual intercourse (§ 3123(1) and (2));
    26  arson (§ 3301); and
    27     (ii)  a finding of incompetency to be tried or a verdict of
    28  acquittal because of lack of criminal responsibility has been
    29  entered.
    30     [(2)] (3)  If at any time the director of a facility
    19770S1105B1566                 - 12 -

     1  concludes that the person is not severely mentally disabled or
     2  in need of treatment pursuant to subsection (a), he shall
     3  discharge the person provided that no person subjected to
     4  involuntary treatment pursuant to clause (2) may be discharged
     5  without a hearing conducted pursuant to clause (4).
     6     (4)  In cases involving involuntary treatment pursuant to
     7  clause (2), whenever the period of court-ordered involuntary
     8  treatment has expired IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE and neither the          <--
     9  director nor the county administrator intends to apply for an
    10  additional period of court-ordered involuntary treatment
    11  pursuant to section 305 or at any time the director concludes
    12  that the person is not severely mentally disabled or in need of
    13  treatment, the director shall petition the court which ordered
    14  the involuntary treatment for the unconditional or conditional
    15  release of the person. Notice of such petition shall be given to
    16  the person, the county administrator and the district attorney.
    17  Within 15 days after the petition has been filed, the court
    18  shall hold a hearing to determine if the person is severely
    19  mentally disabled and in need of treatment. Petitions which must
    20  be filed simply because the period of involuntary treatment will
    21  expire shall be filed at least ten days prior to the expiration
    22  of the court-ordered period of involuntary treatment. If the
    23  court determines after hearing that the person is severely
    24  mentally disabled and in need of treatment, it may order
    25  additional involuntary treatment not to exceed one year; if the
    26  court does not so determine, it shall order the discharge of the
    27  person.
    28     Section 305.  Additional Periods of Court-ordered Involuntary
    29  Treatment.--(a)  At the expiration of a period of court-ordered
    30  involuntary treatment under section 304(g), or this section the
    19770S1105B1566                 - 13 -

     1  court may order treatment for an additional period upon the
     2  application of the county administrator or the director of the
     3  facility in which the person is receiving treatment. Such order
     4  shall be entered upon hearing on findings as required by
     5  sections 304(a) and (b), and the further finding of a need for
     6  continuing involuntary treatment as shown by conduct during the
     7  person's most recent period of court-ordered treatment. The
     8  additional period of involuntary treatment shall not exceed 180
     9  days; provided that persons meeting the criteria of section
    10  304(g)(2) may be subject to an additional period of up to one
    11  year of involuntary treatment. A person found dangerous to
    12  himself under section 301(b)(2)(i),(ii) or (iii) shall be
    13  subject to an additional period of involuntary full-time
    14  inpatient treatment only if he has first been released to a less
    15  restrictive alternative. This limitation shall not apply where,
    16  upon application made by the county administrator or facility
    17  director, it is determined by a judge or mental health review
    18  officer that such release would not be in the person's best
    19  interest.
    20     (b)  The director of the facility in which the person is
    21  receiving treatment shall notify the county administrator at
    22  least ten days prior to the expiration of a period of
    23  involuntary commitment ordered under section 304 or this
    24  section.
    25     Section 2.  The act is amended by adding a section to read:
    26     Section 307.  Return to Inpatient Status of Persons on
    27  Leave.--(a)  Where any involuntary inpatient treatment has been
    28  ordered under this act but thereafter the director of the
    29  facility has placed such person on short-term leave, such leave
    30  may be rescinded and the person returned to inpatient treatment
    19770S1105B1566                 - 14 -

     1  immediately. Such inpatient treatment shall continue as long as
     2  the director of the facility shall deem it necessary, not to
     3  exceed the term originally ordered by the court. If, in these
     4  circumstances, the person shall refuse inpatient treatment, the
     5  court or mental health review officer or county administrator,
     6  upon application of the director of the facility, may issue a
     7  warrant directing a person authorized by him, or any peace
     8  officer, to take such person to the facility. The application
     9  shall set forth the reason for requiring inpatient treatment and
    10  the grounds for believing that such treatment has been refused.
    11     (b)  Where a person is involuntarily committed pursuant to
    12  either section 304 or section 305 because the court makes a
    13  finding that the person is a clear and present danger to others
    14  and the person is granted leave by a facility on the condition
    15  that the person continues to take medication which tends to
    16  reduce the likelihood of violent behavior by the person and
    17  where the county administrator determines that the person
    18  consistently fails to take the prescribed medication, such leave
    19  may be rescinded by the director of the facility and the person
    20  returned to treatment. The person may not be detained more than
    21  20 days without a finding of severe mental disability and the
    22  institution of appropriate legal proceedings. The right to
    23  rescind a patient's leave pursuant to this section shall be
    24  limited to a period ending 90 days after the expiration of the
    25  period of court-ordered involuntary care.
    26     Section 3.  Subsection (b) of section 402 and subsections (c)
    27  and (f) of section 403 of the act are amended to read:
    28     Section 402.  Incompetence to Proceed on Criminal Charges and
    29  Lack of Criminal Responsibility as Defense.--* * *
    30     (b)  Involuntary Treatment of Persons Found Incompetent to
    19770S1105B1566                 - 15 -

     1  Stand Trial Who are Not Mentally Disabled.--Notwithstanding the
     2  provisions of Article III of this act, a court may order
     3  involuntary treatment of a person found incompetent to stand
     4  trial but who is not severely mentally disabled, such
     5  involuntary treatment not to exceed a specific period of [30] 60
     6  days. Involuntary treatment pursuant to this subsection may be
     7  ordered only if the court is reasonably certain that the
     8  involuntary treatment will provide the defendant with the
     9  capacity to stand trial. The court may order outpatient
    10  treatment, partial hospitalization or inpatient treatment.
    11     * * *
    12     Section 403.  Hearing and Determination of Incompetency to
    13  Proceed; Stay of Proceedings; Dismissal of Charges.--* * *
    14     (c)  Defendant's Right to Counsel; Reexamination.--A person
    15  who is determined to be incompetent to proceed shall have a
    16  continuing right to counsel so long as the criminal charges are
    17  pending. Following such determination, the person charged shall
    18  be reexamined not less than every [60] 90 days by a psychiatrist
    19  appointed by the court and a report of reexamination shall be
    20  submitted to the court and to counsel.
    21     * * *
    22     (f)  Stay of Proceedings.--In no instance shall the
    23  proceedings be stayed for a period in excess of the maximum
    24  sentence of confinement that may be imposed for the crime or
    25  crimes charged, or [five] ten years, whichever is less.
    26     Section 4.  The act is amended by adding a section to read:
    27     Section 407.  Voluntary Treatment of A Person Charged With
    28  Crime Or Serving Sentence.--(a)  Whenever a person in criminal
    29  detention, whether in lieu of bail or serving a sentence,
    30  believes that he is in need of treatment and substantially
    19770S1105B1566                 - 16 -

     1  understands the nature of voluntary treatment he may submit
     2  himself to examination and treatment under this act, provided
     3  that at least one physician certifies the necessity of such
     4  treatment and certifies further that such treatment cannot be
     5  adequately provided at the prison or correctional facility where
     6  the person then is detained. Such certificate shall set forth
     7  the specific grounds which make transfer to a mental health
     8  facility necessary. The correctional facility shall secure a
     9  written acceptance of the person for inpatient treatment from
    10  the mental health facility and shall forward such acceptance to
    11  the court.
    12     (b)  Before any inmate of a prison or correctional facility
    13  may be transferred to a mental health facility for the purpose
    14  of examination and treatment the court shall review the
    15  certification of the physician that such transfer is necessary
    16  and may request any other information concerning the necessity
    17  of such transfer. Upon such review the court shall either
    18  approve or disapprove the transfer.
    19     (c)  The court of common pleas for the judicial district in
    20  which the person is charged or was sentenced shall have
    21  jurisdiction for the purpose set forth in this section.
    22     (d)  Transfer to a mental health facility shall not affect
    23  the condition of security required by the person's criminal
    24  detention. However, the court shall not order maximum security
    25  psychiatric care merely on the ground that the person has been
    26  detained in a prison or correctional facility.
    27     (e)  A report of the person's mental condition shall be made
    28  by the mental health facility to the court within 30 days of the
    29  person's transfer to such facility. Such report shall also set
    30  forth the specific grounds which require continued treatment at
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     1  a mental health facility. After the initial report the facility
     2  shall thereafter report to the court every 180 days.
     3     (f)  If at any time the person gives notice of his intent to
     4  withdraw from treatment at the mental health facility he shall
     5  be returned to the authority entitled to have him in custody, or
     6  proceedings may be initiated under section 304 of this act.
     7  During the pendency of any petition filed under section 304
     8  concerning a person in treatment under this section the mental
     9  health facility shall have authority to detain the person
    10  regardless of the provisions of section 203, provided that the
    11  hearing under section 304 is conducted within seven days of the
    12  time the person gives notice of his intent to withdraw from
    13  treatment.
    14     (g)  The period of voluntary treatment under this section
    15  shall be credited as time served on account of any sentence to
    16  be imposed on pending charges or any unexpired term of
    17  imprisonment.
    18     Section 5.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.








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