Code of Alabama
Article 1 - Commitment of Mentally Ill Persons Generally.
Section 22-52-1.1 - Definitions.

When used in this article, the following terms shall have the following meanings, respectively, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(1) MENTAL ILLNESS. A psychiatric disorder of thought and/or mood which significantly impairs judgment, behavior, capacity to recognize reality, or ability to cope with the ordinary demands of life. Mental illness, as used herein, specifically excludes the primary diagnosis of epilepsy, mental retardation, substance abuse, including alcoholism, or a developmental disability.
(2) STATE MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY. A mental health facility operated by the Alabama State Department of Mental Health.
(3) DESIGNATED MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY. A mental health facility other than a state mental health facility designated by the State Department of Mental Health to receive persons for evaluation, examination, admission, detention or treatment pursuant to the provisions of this article.
(4) COMMISSIONER. The Commissioner of the Alabama State Department of Mental Health.
(5) OUTPATIENT TREATMENT. Treatment being provided to a person in a nonresidential setting and who is not admitted for 24-hour-a-day care.
(6) INPATIENT TREATMENT. Treatment being provided to a person at a state mental health facility or a designated mental health facility which has been specifically designated by the department for inpatient treatment.
(7) RESPONDENT. A person for which a petition for commitment to mental health services has been filed.
(8) DEPARTMENT. The Alabama State Department of Mental Health.
(9) INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENT. Court ordered mental health services in either an outpatient or inpatient setting.

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Structure Code of Alabama

Code of Alabama

Title 22 - Health, Mental Health, and Environmental Control.

Title 2 - Mental Health.

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 22-52-2 - Review of Petition by Probate Judge; Examination of Petitioner; Dismissal of Petition Without Further Proceedings.

Section 22-52-3 - Service of Petition and Order Setting Petition for Hearing Upon Person Sought to Be Committed; Contents of Notice.

Section 22-52-4 - Appointment of Attorney and Guardian Ad Litem for Person Sought to Be Committed; Statements, etc., of Person in Presence of Judge, Prior to Obtaining Services of Attorney, Not to Be Considered by Judge.

Section 22-52-5 - Appointment by Probate Judge of Attorney to Appear in Support of Petition; Employment by Petitioners of Attorney to Appear in Support of Petition.

Section 22-52-6 - Notification of Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation or Other Public Facility of Petition, Date of Final Hearing, Etc.

Section 22-52-7 - Restrictions on Imposition of Limitations Upon Liberty of Person Sought to Be Committed Pending Hearings; Ordering, etc., of Examinations of Person Sought to Be Committed; Supervision of Temporary Treatment.

Section 22-52-8 - Holding of Probable Cause and Final Hearings Generally.

Section 22-52-9 - Conduct of Hearings.

Section 22-52-10.1 - (Effective Upon the Implementation of Act 2021-246) Order Entered Where Judge Finds Criteria Met; Dismissal of Petition; Reports to the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency.

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 22-52-10.6 - Petition for Renewal of Inpatient Commitment Order; Probate Court; Special Judge; Notice; Hearing.

Section 22-52-10.7 - Transfer to Another Facility.

Section 22-52-10.8 - Order for Involuntary Commitment for Inpatient Treatment to Be Entered Into Criminal Justice Information System and Nics; Redaction of Order Upon Removal of Limitation to Purchase Firearm.

Section 22-52-10.9 - Order Finding Defendant Insane, Mentally Incompetent, etc., to Be Entered Into Information Systems; Civil Review.

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 22-52-13 - Transfer of Persons Committed to Veterans Administration or Other Federal Agency; Powers, etc., of Chief Officers of Veterans Administration Hospitals, etc., With Respect to Retention, Transfer, Treatment, etc., of Persons Transfer...

Section 22-52-14 - Payment of Costs.

Section 22-52-15 - Appeals.

Section 22-52-16 - Applicability of Article.

Section 22-52-17 - Public Facilities Other Than Department of Mental Health Not Required to Perform Mental Evaluations; Exceptions.