§71. Disposition

A. If the court determines that the patient does not meet the criteria for involuntary outpatient treatment, the court shall dismiss the petition.

B. If the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the patient meets the criteria for involuntary outpatient treatment, and no less restrictive alternative is feasible, the court shall order that the patient receive involuntary outpatient treatment for an initial period not to exceed one year. The court shall state reasons why the proposed treatment plan is the least restrictive treatment appropriate and feasible for the patient. The order shall state the categories of involuntary outpatient treatment as set forth in R.S. 28:70, which the patient is to receive, and the court may not order treatment that has not been recommended by the physician, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, or psychologist in consultation with the treatment team and included in the written treatment plan. The court shall not order an outpatient commitment unless the director or his designee certifies that the services are available.

C. If the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the patient meets the criteria for involuntary outpatient treatment, and a written proposed treatment plan has not been approved, the court shall order the director of the local governing entity to provide a plan and testimony within five days of the date of the order.

D. The court may order the patient to self-administer psychotropic drugs or order the administration of such drugs by authorized personnel as part of an involuntary outpatient treatment program. The order shall specify the type of psychotropic drugs and it shall be effective for the duration of such involuntary outpatient treatment.

E. If the petitioner is affiliated with a hospital that operates an involuntary outpatient treatment program that is willing to treat the patient, the court order shall direct the hospital to provide all available categories of involuntary outpatient treatment services. If the hospital does not have such a program or if the patient is discharged to a different local governing entity, or if the director of the local governing entity has filed the petition and certified services are available, the court order shall require the appropriate director to provide all available categories of involuntary outpatient treatment services.

F. The treatment provider shall apply for court approval prior to instituting a proposed material change in the involuntary outpatient treatment order unless such change is contemplated in the order. For purposes of this Subsection, a material change shall mean an addition or deletion of a category of involuntary outpatient treatment service, or any deviation without the consent of the patient from the terms of an existing order relating to the administration of psychotropic drugs, or a change of residence from one local governing entity to another. A material change shall not mean a change in the dosage or the specific psychotropic drug within the type ordered by the court. Any application for court approval shall be served upon all persons required to be served with notice of a petition for an order authorizing involuntary outpatient treatment. Either party may move for a hearing on the application. If a motion is not filed within five days from the date the application is filed, the court shall grant the application.

G. Failure to comply with an order of assisted outpatient treatment shall not be grounds, in and of itself, for involuntary civil commitment or a finding of contempt of court.

Acts 2008, No. 407, §2; Acts 2009, No. 384, §5, eff. July 1, 2010; Acts 2015, No. 317, §1; Acts 2017, No. 369, §2; Acts 2018, No. 375, §1.