The board of mental illness conducting the involuntary commitment hearing as provided in § 27A-10-8 shall order testimony by a qualified mental health professional, other than the professional who submitted the petition under § 27A-10-1 or initiated the hold under § 27A-10-19, who shall assess the availability and appropriateness of treatment alternatives, including treatment programs other than inpatient treatment and whether such programs are available at the mental health center serving the area in which the person was apprehended or resides. Such testimony shall include what alternatives are or should be made available, what alternatives were investigated, and why any investigated alternatives are not deemed appropriate.

If the board determines that alternatives to inpatient treatment are appropriate, commitment for inpatient treatment to the center or other inpatient psychiatric facility may not be ordered and commitment shall be to the least restrictive treatment alternative as required in subdivision 27A-10-9.1(3).

Source: SL 1974, ch 184, § 9; SL 1975, ch 181, § 112; SDCL Supp, § 27-7A-15; SL 1991, ch 220, § 120; SL 2020, ch 113, § 1.