36-526. Emergency admission; examination;
petition for court-ordered evaluation
A. Upon presentation of the person for emergency admission, an admitting officer of
an evaluation agency shall perform an examination of the person and may admit the person
to the agency as an emergency patient if the admitting officer finds, as a result of his
examination and investigation of the application for emergency admission, that there is
reasonable cause to believe that the person, as a result of a mental disorder, is a
danger to self or others, and that during the time necessary to complete the prepetition
screening procedures set forth in sections 36-520 and 36-521 the person is likely without
immediate hospitalization to suffer serious physical harm or serious illness or to
inflict serious physical harm on another person. In the event a person is hospitalized
pursuant to this section, the admitting officer may notify a screening agency and seek
its assistance or guidance in developing alternatives to involuntary confinement and in
counseling the person and his family.
B. On the same or succeeding court day, the medical director in charge of the
agency shall file a petition for a court-ordered evaluation, unless the person has been
discharged or has become a voluntary patient. The petition need not comply with the
provisions of this chapter requiring preparation and filing of a prepetition screening
report but shall meet all other requirements and shall seek an appropriate order pursuant
to section 36-529.
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