Missouri Laws 475.121 – Admission to mental health or developmental disability facilities
1. Pursuant to an application alleging that the admission of the ward to a particular mental health or developmental disability facility is appropriate and in the best interest of the ward, the court may authorize the guardian or limited guardian to admit the ward to such facility. Such application shall be accompanied by a physician’s statement setting forth the factual basis for the need for continued admission including a statement of the ward’s current diagnosis, plan of care, treatment or habilitation and the probable duration of the admission.
2. If the court finds that the application establishes the need for inpatient care, habilitation or treatment of the ward in a mental health or developmental disability facility without the adduction of further evidence, it shall issue an order authorizing the guardian to admit the ward to such facility in accordance with the provisions of section 632.120 or section 633.120.
Terms Used In Missouri Laws 475.121
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Guardian: one appointed by a court to have the care and custody of the person of a minor or of an incapacitated person. See Missouri Laws 475.010
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Habilitation: a process of treatment, training, care, or specialized attention that seeks to enhance and maximize the ability of a person with an intellectual disability or a developmental disability to cope with the environment and to live as determined by the person as much as possible, as is appropriate for the person considering his or her physical and mental condition and financial means. See Missouri Laws 475.010
- Treatment: the prevention, amelioration or cure of a person's physical and mental illnesses or incapacities. See Missouri Laws 475.010
- Ward: a minor or an incapacitated person for whom a guardian, limited guardian, or standby guardian has been appointed. See Missouri Laws 475.010
3. The court may, in its discretion, appoint an attorney to represent the ward. The attorney shall meet with the ward and may request a hearing on the application. If a hearing is requested, the court shall set the application for hearing. If there is no request for hearing, the court may rule on the application without a hearing. The attorney for the ward shall be allowed a reasonable fee for his services rendered to be assessed as costs under section 475.085.
4. Proceedings under this section may be combined with adjudication proceedings under section 475.075.