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Civil commitment confusion clarified

Published (6/1/2010)
By Mike Cook
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Eliminating confusion in the civil commitment statute is the goal of a new law.

Sponsored by Rep. Debra Hilstrom (DFL-Brooklyn Center) and Sen. Don Betzold (DFL-Fridley), the law clarifies which county is primarily responsible for the pre-petition screening and is to bring forth the commitment petition. It is not intended to change existing practice; rather, it aims to clarify so that the courts and the county attorneys are all on the same page.

Furthermore, the county of financial responsibility is primarily responsible for completing the pre-petition screening and filing the commitment petition. 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.

The law takes effect Aug. 1, 2010.

HF2612*/ SF2186/CH357

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