9.25 - Voluntary and informal admissions; review of status.
§ 9.25 Voluntary and informal admissions; review of status. (a) No voluntary or informal patient, whether admitted on such status or converted thereto, shall be continued in such status for a period beyond twelve months from the date of commencement of such status or beyond twelve months from the effective date of this statute, whichever is later, unless the suitability of such patient to remain in such status and his willingness to so remain have been reviewed. The director shall review the suitability of such patient to remain in such status, and the mental hygiene legal service shall review the willingness of such patient to remain in such status. Notice of the determination of the patient's suitability made by the director shall be given to the mental hygiene legal service. If the mental hygiene legal service finds that there is any ground to doubt the director's determination of the suitability of such patient to remain in a voluntary or informal status or the willingness of the patient to so remain, it shall make an application upon notice to the patient and the director of the hospital, for a court order determining those questions. In any such proceeding, the patient or someone on his behalf or the mental hygiene legal service may request a hearing. If the mental hygiene legal service finds no grounds to doubt the determination of the director as to the suitability, or the willingness of the patient to continue in a voluntary or informal status, it shall so certify and the patient may be continued in the hospital in such status. A copy of such certification of review shall be filed in the patient's record. (b) If an application for a court order has been made and a hearing is requested, the provisions governing hearings contained in section 9.31 of this article shall be applicable. (c) If an application for a court order has been made, the court, in determining the proceeding, may approve the continued hospitalization of the patient as a voluntary or informal patient or, if the court finds that the patient is not suitable or willing to continue as a voluntary or informal patient, it may order the discharge of the patient or make such other order as it may deem appropriate in the circumstances. (d) Prior to the termination of twelve months from the date of the certification on such first review by the mental hygiene legal service or, if an application for a court order has been made, from the date of the first order and, thereafter, prior to the termination of twelve months from any subsequent certification or subsequent order, as the case may be, the director and the mental hygiene legal service shall conduct another review of the patient's suitability and willingness to remain as a voluntary or informal patient as set forth in the foregoing subdivisions.