A. Sections 5-501 through 5-513 of this title shall be known and may be cited as the “Inpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment of Minors Act”.

B. The Oklahoma Legislature hereby declares that the public policy of this state is to:

1. Assure adequate treatment of minors needing mental health treatment or treatment for drug or alcohol abuse;

2. Establish behavioral standards for determination of dangerousness of persons in need of such treatment;

3. Require the use of the least restrictive alternative in the determination of the method of treatment;

4. Provide orderly and reliable procedures for admission or commitment of minors alleged to be in need of inpatient mental health treatment or treatment for drug or alcohol abuse consistent with due process of law; and

5. Protect the rights of consumers hospitalized pursuant to law.

C. It is the intent of the Legislature that:

1. Mental health and substance abuse treatment services shall be provided in the manner most likely to preserve, support and strengthen the family of the minor and to assist the minor and the family of the minor;

2. Minors needing mental health services or substance abuse treatment shall, to the maximum extent possible, receive those services on an outpatient basis; and

3. Inpatient evaluation and treatment services shall be utilized only as necessary to preserve the health or safety of the minor or for the protection of others in the case of a minor who, as a result of a demonstrable mental illness or drug or alcohol dependence, can be expected to intentionally or unintentionally seriously and physically injure another person.

D. A minor may be admitted for inpatient mental health or substance abuse treatment only pursuant to the provisions of the Inpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment of Minors Act.

Added by Laws 1992, c. 298, § 1, eff. July 1, 1993. Amended by Laws 2002, c. 327, § 1, eff. July 1, 2002; Laws 2003, c. 130, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2003; Laws 2005, c. 150, § 50, emerg. eff. May 9, 2005; Laws 2006, c. 16, § 24, emerg. eff. March 29, 2006; Laws 2006, c. 97, § 24, eff. Nov. 1, 2006.

NOTE: Laws 2005, c. 110, § 1 repealed by Laws 2006, c. 16, § 25, emerg. eff. March 29, 2006.