If a child in need of emergency admission cannot be examined by a licensed physician pursuant to Section 44-24-60 because his whereabouts are unknown or for any other reason, the petitioner seeking commitment pursuant to Section 44-24-60 shall execute an affidavit stating that he believes the child is in need of emergency admission. The grounds for the belief must be included and a statement that the usual procedure for examination cannot be followed and the reason. Upon presentation of the affidavit, the court may require a law enforcement officer to take the child into custody and transport him for an examination by a licensed physician as provided for in Section 44-24-60. If within the twenty-four hours the child is not examined by a licensed physician or, if upon examination, the physician does not execute the certification provided in Section 44-24-60, the proceedings must be terminated and the child immediately released. Otherwise, proceedings must be held pursuant to Section 44-24-60.
HISTORY: 1991 Act No. 88, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 30, Section 4.
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Chapter 24 - Commitment Of Children In Need Of Mental Health Treatment
Section 44-24-10. Definitions.
Section 44-24-20. Voluntary admission; notification of guardian ad litem.
Section 44-24-40. Discharge of voluntarily admitted child; grounds for not effecting discharge.
Section 44-24-60. Emergency admission of child to inpatient hospital.
Section 44-24-70. Taking custody of child needing emergency admission.
Section 44-24-100. Notice of hearing for emergency or judicial admission.
Section 44-24-120. Removal of proceedings to another county.
Section 44-24-130. Hearing; location; testimony; rules of evidence; transcript.
Section 44-24-140. Determination after presentation of evidence.
Section 44-24-150. Psychiatric evaluations of children; notification of victims.
Section 44-24-180. Court review of case of child involuntarily admitted.
Section 44-24-200. Unauthorized absence of child from facility or residential program.
Section 44-24-220. Requirement of discharge planning and continuity of service in community.
Section 44-24-230. Provision of community-based treatment as alternative to hospitalization.
Section 44-24-270. Personal, civil, and property rights of child in treatment program.