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Civil commitment confusion clarified

Published (5/6/2010)
By Mike Cook
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Eliminating confusion in the civil commitment statute is the goal of a bill passed 128-0 by the House May 3.

Sponsored by Rep. Debra Hilstrom (DFL-Brooklyn Center), HF2612 would clarify which county is primarily responsible for the pre-petition screening and bringing forth the commitment petition.

Under the bill, the county where the proposed patient would reside would be primarily responsible for doing the pre-petition screening and filing the commitment petition. Hilstrom said the county where the patient is presently located could do the petition as a last resort.

A definition is also provided for “county of financial responsibility,” to reference a person’s county of residence for purposes of establishing the proper venue in a civil commitment hearing.

“This bill is not intended to change any existing practice; it is just intended to clarify so that the courts and the county attorneys are all on the same page,” Hilstrom said.

The bill awaits action by the Senate Rules and Administration Committee. Sen. Don Betzold (DFL-Fridley) is the Senate sponsor.

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