36-526. Emergency admission; examination; petition for court-ordered evaluation

A. On presentation of the person for emergency admission, an admitting officer of an evaluation agency shall perform an examination of the person's psychiatric and physical condition and may admit the person to the agency as an emergency patient if the admitting officer finds, as a result of the examination and investigation of the application for emergency admission, that there is reasonable cause to believe that the person, as a result of a mental disorder, is a danger to self or others, and that during the time necessary to complete the prepetition screening procedures set forth in sections 36-520 and 36-521 the person is likely without immediate hospitalization to suffer serious physical harm or serious illness or to inflict serious physical harm on another person. If a person is hospitalized pursuant to this section, the admitting officer may notify a screening agency and seek its assistance or guidance in developing alternatives to involuntary confinement and in counseling the person and his family.

B. On the same or a succeeding court day, the medical director in charge of the agency shall file a petition for a court-ordered evaluation, unless the person has been discharged or has become a voluntary patient. The petition need not comply with the provisions of this chapter requiring preparation and filing of a prepetition screening report but shall meet all other requirements and shall seek an appropriate order pursuant to section 36-529.