25-5-119. Involuntary admissions; application to district court; representation of proposed client; preadmission screening; notice; hearing; independent screening; admissibility.

(a) A person may be an involuntary client of the center if admitted pursuant to this section. Application for involuntary admission may be made by a parent, a guardian, the administrator or a social service agency. The application shall be filed with the district court in the county where the proposed client, his parent or his guardian resides.

(b) When an application for involuntary admission is filed, the court shall appoint an attorney to represent the proposed client unless he retains counsel of his own choice. An attorney shall represent the proposed client at all hearings. The county shall compensate an appointed attorney in an amount fixed by the court as a reasonable fee.

(c) The court shall order the center to conduct a preadmission screening and assessment of the proposed client. Notice of the order shall be served on the proposed client, his attorney and his parent or guardian. The order and the application for admission shall be served on the center and the department. If the preadmission screening and assessment report finds the center would be an appropriate placement, the court shall order a hearing. The proposed client shall have a right to seek an independent screening and assessment of his eligibility for admission at the state's expense. The screening and assessment shall be admissible as evidence at the hearing as provided by W.S. 25-5-121(d).