A. The head of a residential facility may release an improved involuntary client on convalescent status when he believes that such release is in the best interests of the client. Release on convalescent status shall include provisions for continuing responsibility to and of the hospital. Prior to the expiration of the client's commitment period, the director of the residential facility shall re-examine the facts relating to the commitment of the client on convalescent status and, if he determines that in view of the condition of the client, commitment is no longer appropriate he shall discharge the client.

B. Prior to such discharge, the director of the residential facility from which the client is given convalescent status may at any time readmit the client. If there is reason to believe that the client requires rehospitalization, the director of the residential facility may issue an order for the immediate return of the client. Such an order, if not voluntarily complied with, shall, upon order by a judge of the district court of the county in which the client is resident or present, authorize any health or police officer to take the client into custody and transport him to the residential facility.

History: 1953 Comp., § 34-2A-20, enacted by Laws 1977, ch. 279, § 21.

Hospital maintains and has jurisdiction of every patient who is released as an improved patient on convalescent status as long as he is within the jurisdiction of the state of New Mexico, and, if said patient refuses to return when ordered by the hospital, the hospital, after having said order endorsed by the judge of the district court of the county in which the patient is resident or present, can compel the patient to return to the hospital, if he can be located. 1954 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 54-5901 (opinion rendered under former law).

Until removed into another jurisdiction. — As soon as a patient removes himself from the jurisdiction of the state of New Mexico and goes into another jurisdiction, the hospital loses control and jurisdiction over the patient, for the reason that the board would not have any jurisdiction. 1954 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 54-5901 (opinion rendered under former law).