South Carolina Code of Laws
Chapter 24 - Commitment Of Children In Need Of Mental Health Treatment
Section 44-24-30. Admission of child sixteen or older as inpatient; determination of voluntariness; appointment of guardian ad litem.

When a child sixteen years of age or older is admitted to an inpatient facility at the department, the probate court of the county in which the child resides or where the child applied for admittance shall appoint a guardian ad litem. The guardian ad litem shall review the case and report to the court whether, in the guardian ad litem's opinion, the child had applied voluntarily or if the application was involuntary. The review may not exceed seven days. During the review the guardian ad litem must have access to relevant information and must be able to interview the parents or guardian of the child. If the guardian ad litem suspects the application was involuntary, the guardian ad litem shall notify the court and facility where the child is held. After notification, the facility shall evaluate further the appropriateness of admission and report the findings to the court. After reviewing the opinion of the guardian ad litem and the facility, if the court determines the:
(1) application was voluntary or involuntary and no need for commitment exists, the child must be discharged immediately;
(2) application was voluntary and admission is necessary, there must be no further action before periodic review;
(3) application was involuntary and admission is necessary, the court shall order the facility to file, within three days exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays after the date of the order, a petition for judicial admission and to retain the child pending a hearing which must be conducted within fifteen days of the filing of the petition;
(4) child is in need of alternative treatment other than admission to a facility, the local mental health center is responsible for coordinating appropriate services.
HISTORY: 1991 Act No. 88, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 84, Section 1.

Structure South Carolina Code of Laws