MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Judiciary A
By: Representative Baker
AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI STATE HOSPITAL AT WHITFIELD TO PUBLISH A LIST OF PSYCHIATRISTS AND PSYCHOLOGISTS APPROVED TO PERFORM MENTAL EXAMINATIONS REQUIRED TO DETERMINE WHETHER A CRIMINAL DEFENDANT IS COMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL; TO AUTHORIZE EACH MISSISSIPPI STATE HOSPITAL TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH PSYCHIATRISTS AND PSYCHOLOGISTS FOR PURPOSES OF PERFORMING INITIAL MENTAL EXAMINATIONS ON CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE SERVICES OF THE CONTRACT SHALL INCLUDE ANY MENTAL EXAMINATIONS PERFORMED BY THE PSYCHIATRIST OR PSYCHOLOGIST, THE REQUIRED REPORT OF THE PSYCHIATRIST OR PSYCHOLOGIST AND THE TESTIMONY OF THE PSYCHIATRIST OR PSYCHOLOGIST; TO AMEND SECTION 99-13-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THAT, IN EACH CASE IN WHICH A MENTAL EXAMINATION IS ORDERED TO DETERMINE COMPETENCY OF A DEFENDANT, BOTH OPTIONS OF EITHER A PSYCHIATRIST OR PSYCHOLOGIST BE OFFERED; TO REQUIRE THAT EACH INITIAL MENTAL EXAMINATION THAT IS PERFORMED BY A PSYCHIATRIST OR PSYCHOLOGIST WHO HAS CONTRACTED WITH A MISSISSIPPI STATE HOSPITAL FOR THE PURPOSES OF DETERMINING COMPETENCY BE CONDUCTED IN THE JAIL OR FACILITY IN WHICH HE OR SHE IS BEING HELD; TO REQUIRE THE COURT TO ORDER CONFINEMENT TO A STATE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL OR INSTITUTION FOR ANY PERSON DETERMINED TO BE INCOMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL; TO AUTHORIZE ANY PERSON CONFINE FOR INCOMPETENCY TO CHALLENGE THE DETERMINATION; TO PROVIDE THAT ANY INDIGENT PERSON SHALL HAVE COUNSEL APPOINTED; TO AMEND SECTION 41-4-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH BY REQUIRING A LIST OF CERTAIN COUNTY FACILITIES BE PROVIDED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF COURTS TO BE PROVIDED TO JUDGES IN THE STATE; TO AMEND SECTION 41-21-77, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN ORDERED COMMITTED AND HAVE AWAITED ADMISSION IN A COUNTY FACILITY FOR A PERIOD OF MORE THAN THIRTY DAYS, INCLUDING WEEKENDS, SHALL BE GIVEN TREATMENT IN THE COUNTY FACILITY BY A LICENSED PHYSICIAN OR SHALL BE DELIVERED TO A STATE TREATMENT FACILITY THAT IS CERTIFIED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH; TO AUTHORIZE THE JUDGE WHO ORDERED THE INITIAL COMMITMENT TO THE COUNTY FACILITY TO RETAIN JURISDICTION UNTIL THE PERSON HAS BEEN RESTORED TO COMPETENCY OR DETERMINED INCOMPETENT; TO AMEND SECTION 41-21-63, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, EXPAND THE JURISDICTION OF THE CIRCUIT COURT IN RELATION TO PERSONS COMPETENCY TO STAND TRIAL; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 35-5-31, 41-17-1, 41-21-83 AND 41-21-61, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDE FOR DEFINITIONS AND PROVISION REGARDING MENTAL EXAMINATIONS, FOR PURPOSES OF AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) The Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield shall publish a list of psychiatrists and psychologists approved to perform mental examinations described by Section 99-13-11.
(2) Each Mississippi State Hospital as defined in Section 41-17-1 may enter into contracts with psychiatrists and psychologists to effectuate the provisions of Section 99-13-11, which shall include any mental examinations performed by the psychiatrist or psychologist, the required report of the psychiatrist or psychologist and the testimony of the psychiatrist or psychologist.
SECTION 2. Section 99-13-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
99-13-11. (1) In
any criminal action in the circuit court in which the mental condition of a
person indicted for a felony is in question, the court or judge in vacation on
motion duly made by the defendant, the district attorney or on the motion of
the court or judge, may order such person to submit to a mental examination by
a competent psychiatrist or psychologist located in that county or an
adjacent county selected by the court to determine his ability to make a
defense * * *.
In each case in which a mental examination is ordered, both options of either a
psychiatrist or psychologist shall be offered. Except as otherwise provided in
subsection (2) of this section when the mental examination is performed by a
psychiatrist or psychologist who is contracted by a Mississippi State Hospital
as defined in Section 41-17-1 * * *, any cost or expense in
connection with such mental examination shall be paid by the county in which
such criminal action is pending.
(2) Each initial mental evaluation that is performed by a psychiatrist or psychologist who has contracted with a Mississippi State Hospital as defined in Section 41-17-1, for the purposes of determining competency as described in subsection (1) of this section, shall be conducted in the jail or facility in which he or she is being held; however, if the initial mental examination is inconclusive, the person may be transported to a Mississippi State Hospital as defined in Section 41-17-1. The cost or expense of a mental examination required by this subsection shall be paid by the Mississippi State Hospital that contracted with the psychiatrist or psychologist that performed the mental examination.
(3) When any person is determined to be incompetent to stand trial for purposes of this section, the court shall order confinement of the person to a state psychiatric hospital or institution until the person is restored to competency. If the person cannot be restored to competency, the person shall remain confined. The person may challenge any determination of incompetency and shall have a right to counsel for such purpose. If the person is indigent, counsel shall be appointed.
SECTION 3. Section 41-4-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
41-4-7. The State Board of Mental Health shall have the following powers and duties:
(a) To appoint a full-time Executive Director of the Department of Mental Health, who shall be employed by the board and shall serve as executive secretary to the board. The first director shall be a duly licensed physician with special interest and competence in psychiatry, and shall possess a minimum of three (3) years' experience in clinical and administrative psychiatry. Subsequent directors shall possess at least a master's degree or its equivalent, and shall possess at least ten (10) years' administrative experience in the field of mental health. The salary of the executive director shall be determined by the board;
(b) To appoint a Medical Director for the Department of Mental Health. The medical director shall provide clinical oversight in the implementation of evidence-based and best practices; provide clinical leadership in the integration of mental health, intellectual disability and addiction services with community partners in the public and private sectors; and provide oversight regarding standards of care. The medical director shall serve at the will and pleasure of the board, and will undergo an annual review of job performance and future service to the department;
(c) To cooperate with the Strategic Planning and Best Practices Committee created in Section 41-4-10, Mississippi Code of 1972, in establishing and implementing its state strategic plan;
(d) To develop a strategic plan for the development of services for persons with mental illness, persons with developmental disabilities and other clients of the public mental health system. Such strategic planning program shall require that the board, acting through the Strategic Planning and Best Practices Committee, perform the following functions respecting the delivery of services:
(i) Establish measures for determining the efficiency and effectiveness of the services specified in Section 41-4-1(2);
(ii) Conducting studies of community-based care in other jurisdictions to determine which services offered in these jurisdictions have the potential to provide the citizens of Mississippi with more effective and efficient community-based care;
(iii) Evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of the services specified in Section 41-4-1(2);
(iv) Recommending to the Legislature by January 1, 2014, any necessary additions, deletions or other changes necessary to the services specified in Section 41-4-1(2);
(v) Implementing by July 1, 2012, a system of performance measures for the services specified in Section 41-4-1(2);
(vi) Recommending to the Legislature any changes that the department believes are necessary to the current laws addressing civil commitment;
(vii) Conducting any other activities necessary to the evaluation and study of the services specified in Section 41-4-1(2);
(viii) Assisting in conducting all necessary strategic planning for the delivery of all other services of the department. Such planning shall be conducted so as to produce a single strategic plan for the services delivered by the public mental health system and shall establish appropriate mission statements, goals, objectives and performance indicators for all programs and services of the public mental health system. For services other than those specified in Section 41-4-1(2), the committee shall recommend to the State Board of Mental Health a strategic plan that the board may adopt or modify;
(e) To set up state plans for the purpose of controlling and treating any and all forms of mental and emotional illness, alcoholism, drug misuse and developmental disabilities;
(f) To supervise, coordinate and establish standards for all operations and activities of the state related to mental health and providing mental health services. Nothing in this chapter shall preclude the services of a psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner in accordance with an established nurse practitioner/physician protocol. A physician, licensed psychologist, psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner in accordance with an established nurse practitioner/physician protocol, physician assistant, licensed professional counselor, licensed marriage and family therapists, or licensed clinical social worker shall certify each client's record annually after seeing the client in person or by telemedicine, and more often if medically indicated by physically visiting the client and certifying same in the record. The board shall have the authority to develop and implement all standards and plans and shall have the authority to establish appropriate actions, including financially punitive actions, to ensure enforcement of these established standards, in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Law (Section 25-43-1.101 et seq.). The regional community mental health/intellectual disability centers shall comply with all of the board's established standards that are applicable to those centers, and the board may withhold any state funds that otherwise would be allocated or paid to any of those centers that does not comply with the board's established standards. This paragraph (f) shall stand repealed on July 1, 2017;
(g) To enter into contracts with any other state or federal agency, or with any private person, organization or group capable of contracting, if it finds such action to be in the public interest;
(h) To collect reasonable fees for its services; however, if it is determined that a person receiving services is unable to pay the total fee, the department shall collect any amount such person is able to pay;
(i) To certify, coordinate and establish minimum standards and establish minimum required services, as specified in Section 41-4-1(2), for regional mental health and intellectual disability commissions and other community service providers for community or regional programs and services in adult mental health, children and youth mental health, intellectual disabilities, alcoholism, drug misuse, developmental disabilities, compulsive gambling, addictive disorders and related programs throughout the state. Such regional mental health and intellectual disability commissions and other community service providers shall, on or before July 1 of each year, submit an annual operational plan to the State Department of Mental Health for approval or disapproval based on the minimum standards and minimum required services established by the department for certification and itemize the services specified in Section 41-4-1(2). As part of the annual operation plan required by this paragraph (i) submitted by any regional community mental health center or by any other reasonable certification deemed acceptable by the department, the community mental health center shall state those services specified in Section 41-4-1(2) that it will provide and also those services that it will not provide. If the department finds deficiencies in the plan of any regional commission or community service provider based on the minimum standards and minimum required services established for certification, the department shall give the regional commission or community service provider a six-month probationary period to bring its standards and services up to the established minimum standards and minimum required services. After the six-month probationary period, if the department determines that the regional commission or community service provider still does not meet the minimum standards and minimum required services established for certification, the department may remove the certification of the commission or provider and from and after July 1, 2011, the commission or provider shall be ineligible for state funds from Medicaid reimbursement or other funding sources for those services. However, the department shall not mandate a standard or service, or decertify a regional commission or community service provider for not meeting a standard or service, if the standard or service does not have funding appropriated by the Legislature or have a state, federal or local funding source identified by the department. No county shall be required to levy millage to provide a mandated standard or service above the minimum rate required by Section 41-19-39. After the six-month probationary period, the department may identify an appropriate community service provider to provide any core services in that county that are not provided by a community mental health center. However, the department shall not offer reimbursement or other accommodations to a community service provider of core services that were not offered to the decertified community mental health center for the same or similar services. The State Board of Mental Health shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this paragraph (i), in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Law (Section 25-43-1.101 et seq.);
(j) To establish and promulgate reasonable minimum standards for the construction and operation of state and all Department of Mental Health certified facilities, including reasonable minimum standards for the admission, diagnosis, care, treatment, transfer of patients and their records, and also including reasonable minimum standards for providing day care, outpatient care, emergency care, inpatient care and follow-up care, when such care is provided for persons with mental or emotional illness, an intellectual disability, alcoholism, drug misuse and developmental disabilities;
(k) To implement best practices for all services specified in Section 41-4-1(2), and to establish and implement all other services delivered by the Department of Mental Health. To carry out this responsibility, the board shall require the department to establish a division responsible for developing best practices based on a comprehensive analysis of the mental health environment to determine what the best practices for each service are. In developing best practices, the board shall consider the cost and benefits associated with each practice with a goal of implementing only those practices that are cost-effective practices for service delivery. Such best practices shall be utilized by the board in establishing performance standards and evaluations of the community mental health centers' services required by paragraph (d) of this section;
(l) To assist community or regional programs consistent with the purposes of this chapter by making grants and contracts from available funds;
(m) To establish and collect reasonable fees for necessary inspection services incidental to certification or compliance;
(n) To accept gifts, trusts, bequests, grants, endowments or transfers of property of any kind;
(o) To receive monies coming to it by way of fees for services or by appropriations;
(p) To serve as the single state agency in receiving and administering any and all funds available from any source for the purpose of service delivery, training, research and education in regard to all forms of mental illness, intellectual disabilities, alcoholism, drug misuse and developmental disabilities, unless such funds are specifically designated to a particular agency or institution by the federal government, the Mississippi Legislature or any other grantor;
(q) To establish mental health holding centers for the purpose of providing short-term emergency mental health treatment, places for holding persons awaiting commitment proceedings or awaiting placement in a state mental health facility following commitment, and for diverting placement in a state mental health facility. These mental health holding facilities shall be readily accessible, available statewide, and be in compliance with emergency services' minimum standards. They shall be comprehensive and available to triage and make appropriate clinical disposition, including the capability to access inpatient services or less restrictive alternatives, as needed, as determined by medical staff. Such facility shall have medical, nursing and behavioral services available on a twenty-four-hour-a-day basis. The board may provide for all or part of the costs of establishing and operating the holding centers in each district from such funds as may be appropriated to the board for such use, and may participate in any plan or agreement with any public or private entity under which the entity will provide all or part of the costs of establishing and operating a holding center in any district;
(r) To certify/license case managers, mental health therapists, intellectual disability therapists, mental health/intellectual disability program administrators, addiction counselors and others as deemed appropriate by the board. Persons already professionally licensed by another state board or agency are not required to be certified/licensed under this section by the Department of Mental Health. The department shall not use professional titles in its certification/licensure process for which there is an independent licensing procedure. Such certification/licensure shall be valid only in the state mental health system, in programs funded and/or certified by the Department of Mental Health, and/or in programs certified/licensed by the State Department of Health that are operated by the state mental health system serving persons with mental illness, an intellectual disability, a developmental disability or addictions, and shall not be transferable;
(s) To develop formal mental health worker qualifications for regional mental health and intellectual disability commissions and other community service providers. The State Personnel Board shall develop and promulgate a recommended salary scale and career ladder for all regional mental health/intellectual disability center therapists and case managers who work directly with clients. The State Personnel Board shall also develop and promulgate a career ladder for all direct care workers employed by the State Department of Mental Health;
(t) The employees of the department shall be governed by personnel merit system rules and regulations, the same as other employees in state services;
(u) To establish such rules and regulations as may be necessary in carrying out the provisions of this chapter, including the establishment of a formal grievance procedure to investigate and attempt to resolve consumer complaints;
(v) To grant easements for roads, utilities and any other purpose it finds to be in the public interest;
(w) To survey statutory designations, building markers and the names given to mental health/intellectual disability facilities and proceedings in order to recommend deletion of obsolete and offensive terminology relative to the mental health/intellectual disability system. Based upon a recommendation of the executive director, the board shall have the authority to name/rename any facility operated under the auspices of the Department of Mental Health for the sole purpose of deleting such terminology;
(x) To ensure an effective case management system directed at persons who have been discharged from state and private psychiatric hospitals to ensure their continued well-being in the community;
(y) To develop formal service delivery standards designed to measure the quality of services delivered to community clients, as well as the timeliness of services to community clients provided by regional mental health/intellectual disability commissions and other community services providers;
(z) To establish regional state offices to provide mental health crisis intervention centers and services available throughout the state to be utilized on a case-by-case emergency basis. The regional services director, other staff and delivery systems shall meet the minimum standards of the Department of Mental Health;
(aa) To require performance contracts with community mental health/intellectual disability service providers to contain performance indicators to measure successful outcomes, including diversion of persons from inpatient psychiatric hospitals, rapid/timely response to emergency cases, client satisfaction with services and other relevant performance measures;
(bb) To enter into interagency agreements with other state agencies, school districts and other local entities as determined necessary by the department to ensure that local mental health service entities are fulfilling their responsibilities to the overall state plan for behavioral services;
(cc) To establish and maintain a toll-free grievance reporting telephone system for the receipt and referral for investigation of all complaints by clients of state and community mental health/intellectual disability facilities;
(dd) To establish a peer review/quality assurance evaluation system that assures that appropriate assessment, diagnosis and treatment is provided according to established professional criteria and guidelines;
(ee) To develop and implement state plans for the purpose of assisting with the care and treatment of persons with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia. This plan shall include education and training of service providers, caregivers in the home setting and others who deal with persons with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia, and development of adult day care, family respite care and counseling programs to assist families who maintain persons with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia in the home setting. No agency shall be required to provide any services under this section until such time as sufficient funds have been appropriated or otherwise made available by the Legislature specifically for the purposes of the treatment of persons with Alzheimer's and other dementia;
(ff) Working with the advice and consent of the administration of Ellisville State School, to enter into negotiations with the Economic Development Authority of Jones County for the purpose of negotiating the possible exchange, lease or sale of lands owned by Ellisville State School to the Economic Development Authority of Jones County. It is the intent of the Mississippi Legislature that such negotiations shall ensure that the financial interest of the persons with an intellectual disability served by Ellisville State School will be held paramount in the course of these negotiations. The Legislature also recognizes the importance of economic development to the citizens of the State of Mississippi and Jones County, and encourages fairness to the Economic Development Authority of Jones County. Any negotiations proposed which would result in the recommendation for exchange, lease or sale of lands owned by Ellisville State School must have the approval of the State Board of Mental Health. The State Board of Mental Health may and has the final authority as to whether or not these negotiations result in the exchange, lease or sale of the properties it currently holds in trust for persons with an intellectual disability served at Ellisville State School.
If the State Board of Mental Health authorizes the sale of lands owned by Ellisville State School, as provided for under this paragraph (ff), the monies derived from the sale shall be placed into a special fund that is created in the State Treasury to be known as the "Ellisville State School Client's Trust Fund." The principal of the trust fund shall remain inviolate and shall never be expended. Any interest earned on the principal may be expended solely for the benefits of clients served at Ellisville State School. The State Treasurer shall invest the monies of the trust fund in any of the investments authorized for the Mississippi Prepaid Affordable College Tuition Program under Section 37-155-9, and those investments shall be subject to the limitations prescribed by Section 37-155-9. Unexpended amounts remaining in the trust fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned on amounts in the trust fund shall be deposited to the credit of the trust fund. The administration of Ellisville State School may use any interest earned on the principal of the trust fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature, as needed for services or facilities by the clients of Ellisville State School. Ellisville State School shall make known to the Legislature, through the Legislative Budget Committee and the respective Appropriations Committees of the House and Senate, its proposed use of interest earned on the principal of the trust fund for any fiscal year in which it proposes to make expenditures thereof. The State Treasurer shall provide Ellisville State School with an annual report on the Ellisville State School Client's Trust Fund to indicate the total monies in the trust fund, interest earned during the year, expenses paid from the trust fund and such other related information.
Nothing in this section shall be construed as applying to or affecting mental health/intellectual disability services provided by hospitals as defined in Section 41-9-3(a), and/or their subsidiaries and divisions, which hospitals, subsidiaries and divisions are licensed and regulated by the Mississippi State Department of Health unless such hospitals, subsidiaries or divisions voluntarily request certification by the Mississippi State Department of Mental Health.
All new programs authorized under this section shall be subject to the availability of funds appropriated therefor by the Legislature;
(gg) Working with the advice and consent of the administration of Boswell Regional Center, to enter into negotiations with the Economic Development Authority of Simpson County for the purpose of negotiating the possible exchange, lease or sale of lands owned by Boswell Regional Center to the Economic Development Authority of Simpson County. It is the intent of the Mississippi Legislature that such negotiations shall ensure that the financial interest of the persons with an intellectual disability served by Boswell Regional Center will be held paramount in the course of these negotiations. The Legislature also recognizes the importance of economic development to the citizens of the State of Mississippi and Simpson County, and encourages fairness to the Economic Development Authority of Simpson County. Any negotiations proposed which would result in the recommendation for exchange, lease or sale of lands owned by Boswell Regional Center must have the approval of the State Board of Mental Health. The State Board of Mental Health may and has the final authority as to whether or not these negotiations result in the exchange, lease or sale of the properties it currently holds in trust for persons with an intellectual disability served at Boswell Regional Center. In any such exchange, lease or sale of such lands owned by Boswell Regional Center, title to all minerals, oil and gas on such lands shall be reserved, together with the right of ingress and egress to remove same, whether such provisions be included in the terms of any such exchange, lease or sale or not.
If the State Board of Mental Health authorizes the sale of lands owned by Boswell Regional Center, as provided for under this paragraph (gg), the monies derived from the sale shall be placed into a special fund that is created in the State Treasury to be known as the "Boswell Regional Center Client's Trust Fund." The principal of the trust fund shall remain inviolate and shall never be expended. Any earnings on the principal may be expended solely for the benefits of clients served at Boswell Regional Center. The State Treasurer shall invest the monies of the trust fund in any of the investments authorized for the Mississippi Prepaid Affordable College Tuition Program under Section 37-155-9, and those investments shall be subject to the limitations prescribed by Section 37-155-9. Unexpended amounts remaining in the trust fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any earnings on amounts in the trust fund shall be deposited to the credit of the trust fund. The administration of Boswell Regional Center may use any earnings on the principal of the trust fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature, as needed for services or facilities by the clients of Boswell Regional Center. Boswell Regional Center shall make known to the Legislature, through the Legislative Budget Committee and the respective Appropriations Committees of the House and Senate, its proposed use of the earnings on the principal of the trust fund for any fiscal year in which it proposes to make expenditures thereof. The State Treasurer shall provide Boswell Regional Center with an annual report on the Boswell Regional Center Client's Trust Fund to indicate the total monies in the trust fund, interest and other income earned during the year, expenses paid from the trust fund and such other related information.
Nothing in this section shall be construed as applying to or affecting mental health/intellectual disability services provided by hospitals as defined in Section 41-9-3(a), and/or their subsidiaries and divisions, which hospitals, subsidiaries and divisions are licensed and regulated by the Mississippi State Department of Health unless such hospitals, subsidiaries or divisions voluntarily request certification by the Mississippi State Department of Mental Health.
All new programs authorized under this section shall be subject to the availability of funds appropriated therefor by the Legislature;
(hh) Notwithstanding any other section of the code, the Board of Mental Health shall be authorized to fingerprint and perform a criminal history record check on every employee or volunteer. Every employee and volunteer shall provide a valid current social security number and/or driver's license number which shall be furnished to conduct the criminal history record check. If no disqualifying record is identified at the state level, fingerprints shall be forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history record check;
(ii) The Department of Mental Health shall have the authority for the development of a consumer friendly single point of intake and referral system within its service areas for persons with mental illness, an intellectual disability, developmental disabilities or alcohol or substance abuse who need assistance identifying or accessing appropriate services. The department will develop and implement a comprehensive evaluation procedure ensuring that, where appropriate, the affected person or their parent or legal guardian will be involved in the assessment and planning process. The department, as the point of intake and as service provider, shall have the authority to determine the appropriate institutional, hospital or community care setting for persons who have been diagnosed with mental illness, an intellectual disability, developmental disabilities and/or alcohol or substance abuse, and may provide for the least restrictive placement if the treating professional believes such a setting is appropriate, if the person affected or their parent or legal guardian wants such services, and if the department can do so with a reasonable modification of the program without creating a fundamental alteration of the program. The least restrictive setting could be an institution, hospital or community setting, based upon the needs of the affected person or their parent or legal guardian;
(jj) To have the sole power and discretion to enter into, sign, execute and deliver long-term or multiyear leases of real and personal property owned by the Department of Mental Health to and from other state and federal agencies and private entities deemed to be in the public's best interest. Any monies derived from such leases shall be deposited into the funds of the Department of Mental Health for its exclusive use. Leases to private entities shall be approved by the Department of Finance and Administration and all leases shall be filed with the Secretary of State;
(kk) To certify and establish minimum standards and minimum required services for county facilities used for housing, feeding and providing medical treatment for any person who has been involuntarily ordered admitted to a treatment center by a court of competent jurisdiction, which minimum standards shall include the ability for county facilities, including county jails, to separate incompetent defendants from the general county jail population and properly protect and monitor such defendants. The minimum standard for the initial assessment of those persons being housed in county facilities is for the assessment to be performed by a physician, preferably a psychiatrist, or by a nurse practitioner, preferably a psychiatric nurse practitioner. If the department finds deficiencies in any such county facility or its provider based on the minimum standards and minimum required services established for certification, the department shall give the county or its provider a six-month probationary period to bring its standards and services up to the established minimum standards and minimum required services. After the six-month probationary period, if the department determines that the county or its provider still does not meet the minimum standards and minimum required services, the department may remove the certification of the county or provider and require the county to contract with another county having a certified facility to hold those persons for that period of time pending transportation and admission to a state treatment facility. Any cost incurred by a county receiving an involuntarily committed person from a county with a decertified holding facility shall be reimbursed by the home county to the receiving county. The list of facilities described in this section shall be provided to the Administrative Office of Courts for the purpose of providing such information to all judges in the state.
SECTION 4. Section 41-21-77, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
41-21-77. If admission is ordered at a treatment facility, the sheriff, his or her deputy or any other person appointed or authorized by the court shall immediately deliver the respondent to the director of the appropriate facility. Neither the Board of Mental Health or its members, nor the Department of Mental Health or its related facilities, nor any employee of the Department of Mental Health or its related facilities, shall be appointed, authorized or ordered to deliver the respondent for treatment, and no person shall be so delivered or admitted until the director of the admitting institution determines that facilities and services are available. Persons who have been ordered committed and are awaiting admission may be given any such treatment in the facility by a licensed physician as is indicated by standard medical practice; however, persons who have been ordered committed and have awaited for admission for a period of more than thirty (30) days, including weekends, shall be given treatment in the facility by a licensed physician or shall be delivered to a state treatment facility that is certified by the State Department of Mental Health. The committing judge shall have the authority to assess the thirty-day status of any person awaiting admission in a county facility. Any county facility used for providing housing, maintenance and medical treatment for involuntarily committed persons pending their transportation and admission to a state treatment facility shall be certified by the State Department of Mental Health under the provisions of Section 41-4-7(kk). No person shall be delivered or admitted to any non-Department of Mental Health treatment facility unless the treatment facility is licensed and/or certified to provide the appropriate level of psychiatric care for persons with mental illness. It is the intent of this Legislature that county-owned hospitals work with regional community mental health/intellectual disability centers in providing care to local patients. The clerk shall provide the director of the admitting institution with a certified copy of the court order, a certified copy of the physicians' or the physician's and psychologist's, nurse practitioner's or physician assistant's certificate, a certified copy of the affidavit, and any other information available concerning the physical and mental condition of the respondent. Upon notification from the United States Veterans Administration or other agency of the United States government, that facilities are available and the respondent is eligible for care and treatment in those facilities, the court may enter an order for delivery of the respondent to or retention by the Veterans Administration or other agency of the United States government, and, in those cases the chief officer to whom the respondent is so delivered or by whom he is retained shall, with respect to the respondent, be vested with the same powers as the director of the Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield, or the East Mississippi State Hospital at Meridian, with respect to retention and discharge of the respondent.
SECTION 5. Section 41-17-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
41-17-1. Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield, East Mississippi State Hospital at Meridian, North Mississippi State Hospital at Tupelo, South Mississippi State Hospital at Purvis, the Specialized Treatment Facility for the Emotionally Disturbed in Harrison County, and the Central Mississippi Residential Center at Newton are established for the care and treatment of persons with mental illness, free of charge, except as otherwise provided.
SECTION 6. Section 41-21-83, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
41-21-83. If a hearing is requested as provided in Section 41-21-74, 41-21-81 or 41-21-99, the court shall not make a determination of the need for continued commitment unless a hearing is held and the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that (a) the person continues to have mental illness or have an intellectual disability; and (b) involuntary commitment is necessary for the protection of the patient or others; and (c) there is no alternative to involuntary commitment. Hearings held under this section shall be held in the chancery court of the county where the facility is located; however, if the patient is confined at the Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield, Mississippi, the hearing shall be conducted by the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi.
The hearing shall be held within fourteen (14) days after receipt by the court of the request for a hearing. The court may continue the hearing for good cause shown. The clerk shall ascertain whether the patient is represented by counsel, and, if the patient is not represented, shall notify the chancellor who shall appoint counsel for him if the chancellor determines that the patient for any reason does not have the services of an attorney; however, the patient may waive the appointment of counsel subject to the approval of the court. Notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be served at least seventy-two (72) hours before the time of the hearing upon the patient, his attorney, the director, and the person requesting the hearing, if other than the patient, and any witnesses requested by the patient or his attorney, or any witnesses the court may deem necessary or desirable.
The patient must be present at the hearing unless the chancellor determines that the patient is unable to attend and makes that determination and the reasons therefor part of the record.
The court shall put its findings and the reasons supporting its findings in writing and shall have copies delivered to the patient, his attorney, and the director of the treatment facility. An appeal from the final commitment order by either party may be had on the terms prescribed for appeals in civil cases; however, such appeal shall be without supersedeas. The record on appeal shall include the transcript of the commitment hearing.
SECTION 7. Section 41-21-63, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
41-21-63. (1) No person, other than persons charged with crime, shall be committed to a public treatment facility except under the provisions of Sections 41-21-61 through 41-21-107 or 43-21-611 or 43-21-315. However, nothing herein shall be construed to repeal, alter or otherwise affect the provisions of Section 35-5-31 or to affect or prevent the commitment of persons to the Veterans Administration or other agency of the United States under the provisions of and in the manner specified in those sections.
(2) The chancery court, or the chancellor in vacation shall have jurisdiction under Sections 41-21-61 through 41-21-107 except over persons with unresolved felony charges pending.
(3) The circuit court shall have jurisdiction under Sections 99-13-7, 99-13-9 and 99-13-11 and over persons who require mental examinations for purposes of determining competency or restoring competency under the applicable provisions of Sections 41-21-61 through 41-21-107.
SECTION 8. Section 41-21-61, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
41-21-61. As used in Sections 41-21-61 through 41-21-107, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms defined have the meanings ascribed to them:
(a) "Chancellor" means a chancellor or a special master in chancery.
(b) "Clerk" means the clerk of the chancery court.
(c) "Director" means the chief administrative officer of a treatment facility or other employee designated by him as his deputy.
(d) "Interested person" means an adult, including, but not limited to, a public official, and the legal guardian, spouse, parent, legal counsel, adult, child next of kin, or other person designated by a proposed patient.
(e) "Person with mental illness" means any person who has a substantial psychiatric disorder of thought, mood, perception, orientation, or memory which grossly impairs judgment, behavior, capacity to recognize reality, or to reason or understand, which (i) is manifested by instances of grossly disturbed behavior or faulty perceptions; and (ii) poses a substantial likelihood of physical harm to himself or others as demonstrated by (A) a recent attempt or threat to physically harm himself or others, or (B) a failure to provide necessary food, clothing, shelter or medical care for himself, as a result of the impairment. "Person with mental illness" includes a person who, based on treatment history and other applicable psychiatric indicia, is in need of treatment in order to prevent further disability or deterioration which would predictably result in dangerousness to himself or others when his current mental illness limits or negates his ability to make an informed decision to seek or comply with recommended treatment. "Person with mental illness" does not include a person having only one or more of the following conditions: (1) epilepsy, (2) an intellectual disability, (3) brief periods of intoxication caused by alcohol or drugs, (4) dependence upon or addiction to any alcohol or drugs, or (5) senile dementia.
(f) "Person with an intellectual disability" means any person (i) who has been diagnosed as having substantial limitations in present functioning, manifested before age eighteen (18), characterized by significantly subaverage intellectual functioning, existing concurrently with related limitations in two (2) or more of the following applicable adaptive skill areas: communication, self-care, home living, social skills, community use, self-direction, health and safety, functional academics, leisure and work, and (ii) whose recent conduct is a result of having an intellectual disability and poses a substantial likelihood of physical harm to himself or others in that there has been (A) a recent attempt or threat to physically harm himself or others, or (B) a failure and inability to provide necessary food, clothing, shelter, safety or medical care for himself.
(g) "Physician" means any person licensed by the State of Mississippi to practice medicine in any of its branches.
(h) "Psychologist" when used in Sections 41-21-61 through 41-21-107, means a licensed psychologist who has been certified by the State Board of Psychological Examiners as qualified to perform examinations for the purpose of civil commitment.
(i) "Treatment facility" means a hospital, community mental health center, or other institution qualified to provide care and treatment for persons with mental illness, persons with an intellectual disability or chemically dependent persons.
(j) "Substantial likelihood of bodily harm" means that:
(i) The person has threatened or attempted suicide or to inflict serious bodily harm to himself; or
(ii) The person has threatened or attempted homicide or other violent behavior; or
(iii) The person has placed others in reasonable fear of violent behavior and serious physical harm to them; or
(iv) The person is unable to avoid severe impairment or injury from specific risks; and
(v) There is substantial likelihood that serious harm will occur unless the person is placed under emergency treatment.
SECTION 9. Section 35-5-31, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
35-5-31. (1) Whenever, in any proceeding under the laws of this state for the commitment of a person alleged to be a person with mental illness, person with an intellectual disability, or otherwise of unsound mind, or otherwise in need of confinement in a hospital or other institution for his proper care, it is determined after the adjudication of the status of the person as may be required by law that commitment to a state psychiatric hospital or institution or other institution is necessary for safe-keeping or treatment, and it appears that the person is eligible for care or treatment by the Veterans Administration or other agency of the United States government, the court, upon receipt of a certificate from the Veterans Administration or such other agency showing that facilities are available and that the person is eligible for care or treatment in those facilities, may commit the person to the Veterans Administration or other agency. The person whose commitment is sought shall be personally served with notice of the pending commitment proceeding in the manner provided by the law of this state; and nothing in this section shall affect his right to appear and be heard in the proceedings. Upon commitment, the person, when admitted to any facility operated by the Veterans Administration or other agency within or without this state shall be subject to the rules and regulations of the Veterans Administration or other agency. The chief officer of any facility of the Veterans Administration or institution operated by any other agency of the United States to which the person is so committed shall, with respect to the person, be vested with the same powers as superintendents of state psychiatric hospitals or institutions within this state with respect to retention of custody, transfer, parole or discharge. Jurisdiction is retained in the committing or other appropriate court of this state at any time to inquire into the mental condition of the person so committed, and to determine the necessity for continuance of his restraint, and all commitments under this section are so conditioned.
(2) The judgment or order of commitment by a court of competent jurisdiction of another state or of the District of Columbia, committing a person to the Veterans Administration or other agency of the United States government for care or treatment, shall have the same force and effect as to the committed person while in this state as in the jurisdiction in which is situated the court entering the judgment or making the order, and the courts of the committing state or of the District of Columbia shall be deemed to have retained jurisdiction of the person so committed for the purpose of inquiring into the mental condition of the person and of determining the necessity for continuance of his restraint, as is provided in subsection (1) of this section with respect to persons committed by the courts of this state. Consent is given to the application of the law of the committing state or District of Columbia in respect to the authority of the chief officer of any facility of the Veterans Administration or of any institution operated in this state by any other agency of the United States to retain custody, or transfer, parole or discharge the committed person.
(3) Upon receipt of a certificate of the Veterans Administration or such other agency of the United States that facilities are available for the care or treatment of any person committed to a state psychiatric hospital or institution or for the care or treatment of persons similarly afflicted, and that the person is eligible for care or treatment, the superintendent of the state psychiatric hospital or institution may cause the transfer of the person to the Veterans Administration or other agency of the United States for care or treatment. Upon effecting any such transfer, the committing court or proper officer of the court shall be notified of the transfer by the transferring agency. No person shall be transferred to the Veterans Administration or other agency of the United States if he is confined because of conviction of any felony or misdemeanor or if he has been acquitted of the charge solely on the ground of insanity, unless before transfer, the court or other authority originally committing the person enters an order for the transfer after appropriate motion and hearing.
Any person transferred as provided in this section shall be deemed to be committed to the Veterans Administration or other agency of the United States under the original commitment.
SECTION 10. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2017.