- (a) The administrator of a facility to which a patient is committed for inpatient treatment may request the court that entered the commitment order to modify the order to require the patient to participate in outpatient care or services.
- (b) The facility administrator's request must explain in detail the reason for the request. The request must be accompanied by a certificate of medical examination for chemical dependency signed by a physician who examined the patient during the preceding seven days.
- (c) The patient shall be given notice of the request.
- (d) On request of the patient or any other interested person, the court shall hold a hearing on the request. The court shall appoint an attorney to represent the patient at the hearing. The hearing shall be held before the court without a jury and as prescribed by Section 462.067. The patient shall be represented by an attorney and receive proper notice.
- (e) If a hearing is not requested, the court may make the decision solely from the request and the supporting certificate.
- (f) If the court modifies the order, the court shall identify a person to be responsible for the outpatient care or services.
- (g) The person responsible for the care or services shall submit to the court within two weeks after the court enters the order a general program of the treatment to be provided. The program must be incorporated into the court order.
- (h) A modified order may not extend beyond the term of the original order.
Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 14, Sec. 175, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.