A. Counties and municipalities may establish emergency service patrols. A patrol consists of persons trained to give assistance in public places to persons whom the patrol has reasonable grounds to believe are mentally ill. Members of an emergency service patrol shall be capable of providing first aid in emergency situations and may transport mentally ill persons to their homes and to and from approved treatment facilities and alternative facilities.

B. Standards for the establishment, training, and conduct of emergency service patrols shall be adopted by the county or municipality and approved by the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. These standards shall comply with the standards of the regional emergency medical services plan.

C. All participating state and local agencies are directed to coordinate with each other and cooperate in assisting the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services as needed. If specifically requested in two or more regional emergency medical service plans, the Department may establish a law enforcement behavioral health emergency dispatch system.

D. All emergency service patrols shall be required to keep reliable data on services made available and provided by the emergency service patrols.

E. Upon the request of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, every state agency, board or commission shall provide any information requested by the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to assess the effectiveness of emergency service patrols.

Added by Laws 2000, c. 348, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2000. Amended by Laws 2012, c. 296, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2012.