41-19-239 - Admission procedures.
§ 41-19-239. Admission procedures.
Admission of eligible persons to the center shall be as follows:
(a) The parents or guardian or person in loco parentis of any person thought to be mentally retarded may file an application for admission to the center. Such application shall be made on an official form approved or furnished by the center. Within ten (10) days after the admission of the person to the center, the director shall have him examined by a qualified physician or psychologist or both. If he is found not to be mentally retarded, the parents, guardian or person in loco parentis shall be required to take him from the center. The results of the examination shall be entered upon the person's record if he is found to be mentally retarded and eligible to remain at the center.
(b) If any mentally retarded person is afflicted to the extent that he needs care, supervision or control, or to the extent that he is likely to become dangerous or a menace if left at large, any relative or any citizen of the State of Mississippi may make affidavit of such fact and shall file such affidavit with the clerk of the chancery court of the county of such person's residence or with the clerk of the chancery court of any county in which such person might be found. When such affidavit is received by the chancery clerk, he shall follow the same procedure for commitment to the center as is provided for in state law for the commitment of persons to the state mental hospitals.
(c) Mentally retarded persons may be admitted to the center by the director for a time sufficient for diagnosis, evaluation and training without formal commitment, provided such person is referred by another state agency or department. In such cases the person so admitted shall be subject to all regulations governing the center for such time as he remains.
(d) The final determination of admission to the center shall be the decision of the director of the center.
Sources: Laws, 1990, ch. 475, § 5; Laws, 1992, ch. 336, § 18, eff from and after July 1, 1992.