The rights of each person apprehended and presented for emergency detention for inpatient mental health services at a department facility, community center, or psychiatric hospital are granted under the relevant sections of the Texas Mental Health Code (Texas Civil Statutes, Article 5547-1 et seq.). (1) Each person apprehended or detained, but not yet admitted, has the following rights. (A) The right to be advised of the location of detention, the reasons for detention, and that detention could result in a longer period of involuntary commitment. (B) The right to contact an attorney of the person's own choosing with opportunities to contact that attorney. (C) The right to be transferred back to the location of apprehension, or other suitable place, if not admitted for emergency detention, unless the person is arrested or objects to the return. (D) The right to be released if the head of the department facility, community center, or psychiatric hospital determines that any one of the criteria for emergency detention no longer applies. (E) The right to be informed that anything the person says to the personnel of the department facility, community center, or psychiatric hospital may be used in the proceeding for further detention. (F) The right to a preliminary examination by a physician conducted immediately upon arrival at the department facility, community center, or psychiatric hospital following apprehension to determine whether the person meets the criteria for admission for emergency detention. If a physician is not available to conduct the examination, steps shall immediately be taken to arrange for the examination as soon as possible, but in no case more than 24 hours after apprehension. (2) If the person is accepted for treatment on an emergency detention, the personnel of the department facility, community center, or psychiatric hospital shall immediately advise the person of the following rights. (A) The right not to be detained for more than 24 hours after the hour of initial detention unless an order for further detention is obtained, except that if the 24-hour period ends on a Saturday or Sunday or a legal holiday or before 4 p.m. on the first business day succeeding the Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the period of detention shall end no later than 4 p.m. of the first succeeding business day. In the case of an extreme weather emergency or disaster, a judge may also extend the period of detention by written order for no more than 24 hours at a time. (B) The right to be released if the head of the department facility, community center, or psychiatric hospital determines that any one of the criteria for emergency detention, as outlined in the Texas Health and Safety Code, §573.022, no longer applies. (C) The right to be returned to the location of apprehension, place of residence, or other suitable place if released from emergency detention, unless the person is arrested or objects to the return. (D) The right to be informed that if a petition for court-ordered treatment is filed, the person is entitled to a judicial probable cause hearing no later than the 72nd hour after the hour of which detention begins under an order of protective custody except that if the 72-hour period ends on a Saturday or Sunday or a legal holiday, the hearing shall be held no later than the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. In the case of an extreme weather emergency or disaster, a judge may also delay the hearing by written order for no more than 24 hours at a time. (E) The right to have an attorney appointed if the person does not have an attorney when application for court-ordered services is filed. (F) The right to communicate with the attorney at any reasonable time and to have assistance in contacting the attorney. (G) The right to present evidence and to cross-examine witnesses who testify on behalf of the petitioner at a hearing. |
