How do you involuntarily commit someone in Massachusetts?
The petitioner must go to the local court and file a written petition or affidavit for an order of commitment. Petitions may be filed at any District or Juvenile Court, regardless of home residence of the person being petitioned.
What is a Section 35 in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 123, sec 35 permits the courts to involuntarily commit someone who has an alcohol or substance use disorder and there is a likelihood of serious harm as a result of his/her alcohol or substance use.
What is a Section 12 in MA?
Section 12(a) allows for an individual to be brought against his or her will to such a hospital for evaluation. Section 12(b) allows for an individual to be admitted to a psychiatric unit for up to three business days against the individual's will or without the individual's consent.
What happens when someone is sectioned in Massachusetts?
The section allows families and/or the judge to choose a licensed treatment facility. If no beds are available, the individual might be sent to a separate unit at the correctional facility at Bridgewater for men or Framingham for women.
What is a Section 21 Massachusetts?
Section 21. Any person who transports a person with a mental illness to or from a facility for any purpose authorized under this chapter shall not use any restraint that is unnecessary for the safety of the person being transported or other persons likely to come in contact with the person.
How do I get someone sectioned?
Sectioning. Sectioning is when somebody is lawfully detained in hospital or a mental health facility under the Mental Health Act 1983. Someone can only be sectioned if they meet certain criteria, these are: Their mental health problem is so severe that they need urgent assessment and treatment.
Can you Section someone without their consent?
You can be sectioned by one doctor only (together with the approved mental health professional) and you can be taken to hospital in an emergency and assessed there. Your rights are different compared to your rights under other sections. For example, you cannot be treated without your consent.
Can a hospital force you to stay?
Health professionals can't threaten to section you to make you agree to treatment or to stay on the ward if you don't want to.
What is Section 13 mental health Act?
Section 13 – Duty of approved mental health professionals to make applications for admission or guardianship.
Can I get a family member sectioned?
If your nearest relative is concerned about your mental health, they can contact your local social services or community mental health team and apply to section you or place you under a guardianship. In reality though, it is normally an approved mental health professional who will make this application.
How do you get a 5150 hold?
The 5150 legal code allows “a person with a mental illness to be involuntarily detained for a 72-hour psychiatric hospitalization.” This means that someone experiencing a severe mental episode or condition can be detained against their will for up to 72 hours, if they meet at least one of the requirements of being a ...
What are the consequences of being sectioned?
What happens when you're sectioned? In most cases, you will be admitted to hospital very soon after your assessment (for most sections, it legally needs to be within 14 days). This will normally be by ambulance. Once there, you will have your rights explained to you and will be given a copy to keep.