53-21-113. Costs of committing a patient already voluntarily admitted — transportation costs for voluntary admission. (1) The cost of involuntarily committing a patient who is voluntarily admitted to a mental health facility at the time the involuntary proceedings are commenced must be paid by the county of the patient’s residence at the time of admission.

Terms Used In Montana Code 53-21-113

  • facility: means the state hospital, the Montana mental health nursing care center, or a hospital, a behavioral health inpatient facility, a mental health center, a residential treatment facility, or a residential treatment center licensed or certified by the department that provides treatment to children or adults with a mental disorder. See Montana Code 53-21-102
  • Patient: means a person committed by the court for treatment for any period of time or who is voluntarily admitted for treatment for any period of time. See Montana Code 53-21-102
  • Person: includes a corporation or other entity as well as a natural person. See Montana Code 1-1-201

(2)The costs of transportation to a mental health facility under 53-21-111 and 53-21-112 must be provided by the local office of public assistance located in the county of the patient’s residence. However, if protective proceedings under Title 72, chapter 5, have been or are initiated with respect to the person, the local office of public assistance may seek reimbursement. If no one else is available to transport the person, the sheriff shall transport the person.