Ohio Revised Code
Chapter 5123 | Department of Developmental Disabilities
Section 5123.71 | Affidavit for Involuntary Institutionalization.

Effective: October 12, 2016
Latest Legislation: House Bill 158 - 131st General Assembly
(A)(1) Proceedings for the involuntary institutionalization of a person pursuant to sections 5123.71 to 5123.76 of the Revised Code shall be commenced by the filing of an affidavit with the probate division of the court of common pleas of the county where the person resides or where the person is institutionalized, in the manner and form prescribed by the department of developmental disabilities either on information or actual knowledge, whichever is determined to be proper by the court. The affidavit may be filed only by a person who has custody of the individual as a parent, guardian, or service provider or by a person acting on behalf of the department or a county board of developmental disabilities. This section does not apply regarding the institutionalization of a person pursuant to section 2945.39, 2945.40, 2945.401, or 2945.402 of the Revised Code.
The affidavit shall contain an allegation setting forth the specific category or categories under division (O) of section 5123.01 of the Revised Code upon which the commencement of proceedings is based and a statement of the factual ground for the belief that the person is a person with an intellectual disability subject to institutionalization by court order. Except as provided in division (A)(2) of this section, the affidavit shall be accompanied by both of the following:
(a) A comprehensive evaluation report prepared by the person's evaluation team that includes a statement by the members of the team certifying that they have performed a comprehensive evaluation of the person and that they are of the opinion that the person is a person with an intellectual disability subject to institutionalization by court order;
(b) An assessment report prepared by the county board of developmental disabilities under section 5123.711 of the Revised Code specifying that the individual is in need of services on an emergency or priority basis.
(2) In lieu of the comprehensive evaluation report, the affidavit may be accompanied by a written and sworn statement that the person or the guardian of a person adjudicated incompetent has refused to allow a comprehensive evaluation and county board assessment and assessment reports. Immediately after accepting an affidavit that is not accompanied by the reports of a comprehensive evaluation and county board assessment, the court shall cause a comprehensive evaluation and county board assessment of the person named in the affidavit to be performed. The evaluation shall be conducted in the least restrictive environment possible and the assessment shall be conducted in the same manner as assessments conducted under section 5123.711 of the Revised Code. The evaluation and assessment must be completed before a probable cause hearing or full hearing may be held under section 5123.75 or 5123.76 of the Revised Code.
A written report of the evaluation team's findings and the county board's assessment shall be filed with the court. The reports shall, consistent with the rules of evidence, be accepted as probative evidence in any proceeding under section 5123.75 or 5123.76 of the Revised Code. If the counsel for the person who is evaluated or assessed is known, the court shall send to the counsel a copy of the reports as soon as possible after they are filed and prior to any proceedings under section 5123.75 or 5123.76 of the Revised Code.
(B) Any person who is involuntarily detained in an institution or otherwise is in custody under this chapter shall be informed of the right to do the following:
(1) Immediately make a reasonable number of telephone calls or use other reasonable means to contact an attorney, a physician, or both, to contact any other person or persons to secure representation by counsel, or to obtain medical assistance, and be provided assistance in making calls if the assistance is needed and requested;
(2) Retain counsel and have independent expert evaluation and, if the person is an indigent person, be represented by court-appointed counsel and have independent expert evaluation at court expense;
(3) Upon request, have a hearing to determine whether there is probable cause to believe that the person is a person with an intellectual disability subject to institutionalization by court order.
(C) No person who is being treated by spiritual means through prayer alone in accordance with a recognized religious method of healing may be ordered detained or involuntarily committed unless the court has determined that the person represents a very substantial risk of self-impairment, self-injury, or impairment or injury to others.

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