(a) A petition for renewal of an outpatient commitment order may be filed by the director of a designated mental health facility or his or her designee at least 30 days prior to the expiration of the current commitment order. The petition, together with a copy of the original commitment order and copies of any subsequent renewal commitment orders, shall be filed with the probate court of the county where the commitment was originally ordered. The petition shall explain in detail why renewal of the order is being requested and shall include testimony affirming the facility's belief that the respondent meets the requirements for renewal pursuant to Section 22-52-10.2.
(b) The judge of probate shall conduct a hearing, within 30 days after the date of petition, to consider the petition for renewal of the commitment order.
(c) Adequate written notice shall be provided to the respondent prior to the hearing.
(d) The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with Section 22-52-9. A copy of the order shall be forwarded to the probate court having original jurisdiction. The burden of proof shall be to prove, based on clear and convincing evidence, the criteria as prescribed in Section 22-52-10.2.
(e) Any order renewing an order for commitment to outpatient treatment shall not exceed a period of one year.
(f) In cases where outpatient treatment has been renewed, a revocation petition seeking inpatient treatment may not be filed and a new petition seeking inpatient treatment shall be required.
Structure Code of Alabama
Title 22 - Health, Mental Health, and Environmental Control.
Chapter 52 - Commitment, Discharge and Transfer of Persons in State Institutions.
Article 1 - Commitment of Mentally Ill Persons Generally.
Section 22-52-1.1 - Definitions.
Section 22-52-1.2 - Filing and Contents of Petition Seeking Involuntary Commitment of Another.
Section 22-52-8 - Holding of Probable Cause and Final Hearings Generally.
Section 22-52-9 - Conduct of Hearings.
Section 22-52-10.2 - Findings Necessary for Outpatient Treatment.
Section 22-52-10.3 - Order for Outpatient Treatment.
Section 22-52-10.4 - Findings Necessary for Inpatient Treatment; Order When No Treatment Available.
Section 22-52-10.5 - Facilities for Inpatient Treatment; Length of Treatment; Cost.
Section 22-52-10.7 - Transfer to Another Facility.
Section 22-52-10.10 - Renewal of Outpatient Commitment Order.
Section 22-52-11 - Retention of Jurisdiction by Probate Court Over Person Committed.
Section 22-52-12 - Conveyance of Person Committed to Facility; Expenses of Conveyance.
Section 22-52-12.1 - Designated Mental Health Facilities; Standards of Care.
Section 22-52-12.2 - Renewal Petition Time Limit for Certain Patients.
Section 22-52-14 - Payment of Costs.