Arkansas Code
Subchapter 2 - Commitment and Treatment
§ 20-47-230. Return of detained or involuntarily admitted person to state of residence — Reciprocal agreements

(a) The Department of Human Services may enter into a reciprocal agreement with a state that adjoins the Arkansas state line or is separated only by a navigable river from the Arkansas state line to facilitate the return of a person who is detained in or involuntarily admitted to mental health facilities in this state or another state to the state of his or her residence.
(b) The state returning a detained or involuntarily admitted person to another state shall bear the expenses of returning the person, unless the state agrees to share costs under a reciprocal agreement made under subsection (a) of this section.
(c) If a state or local authority of another state petitions the department, the department shall enter into a reciprocal agreement with the state or local authority to facilitate the return of a person who is detained in or involuntarily admitted to a receiving facility or program in this state to the state of his or her residence unless the department determines that the terms of the agreement are not acceptable.
(d)
(1) A reciprocal agreement entered into by the department under subsection (a) of this section shall require the department to develop a process for returning a person who is detained in or involuntarily admitted to a receiving facility or program to the person's state of residence.
(2) A process developed under subdivision (d)(1) of this section shall:
(A) Provide suitable care for the person who is detained in or involuntarily admitted to a mental health facility;
(B) Use available resources efficiently; and
(C) Consider commitment to a proximate mental health facility to make possible the return of the detained or involuntarily admitted person to his or her state of residence.


(e) The department shall coordinate the reciprocal agreement and the process developed under subsection (d) of this section with a mental health facility, mental hospital, health service provider, court, or law enforcement agency located in Arkansas.

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