Sec. 35A.005. ORDER FOR TEMPORARY AUTHORIZATION. (a) At the hearing on the petition, the court may hear evidence relating to the child's need for inpatient mental health services by the petitioner, any other matter raised in the petition, and any objection or other testimony of the child's parent, conservator, or guardian.

(b) The court shall dismiss the petition for temporary authorization if an objection is made by the child's parent, conservator, or guardian.

(c) The court shall grant the petition for temporary authorization only if the court finds:

(1) by a preponderance of the evidence that the child does not have available a parent, conservator, guardian, or other legal representative to give consent under Section 572.001, Health and Safety Code, for voluntary inpatient mental health services; and

(2) by clear and convincing evidence that the child is a person:

(A) with mental illness or who demonstrates symptoms of a serious emotional disorder; and

(B) who presents a risk of serious harm to self or others if not immediately restrained or hospitalized.

(d) Subject to Subsection (e), the order granting temporary authorization under this chapter expires on the earliest of:

(1) the date the petitioner requests that the child be discharged from the inpatient mental health facility;

(2) the date a physician determines that the criteria listed in Subsection (c)(2) no longer apply to the child; or

(3) subject to Subsection (e), the 10th day after the date the order for temporary authorization is issued under this section.

(e) The order granting temporary authorization continues in effect until the earlier occurrence of an event described by Subsection (d)(1) or (2) if the petitioner obtains an order for temporary managing conservatorship before the order expires as provided by Subsection (d)(3).

(f) A copy of an order granting temporary authorization must:

(1) be filed under the cause number in any court that has rendered a conservatorship or guardian order regarding the child; and

(2) be sent to the last known address of the child's parent, conservator, or guardian.

Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 988 (S.B. 1238), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019.