Texas Family Code 55.66 – Proceedings in Juvenile Court for Child Found Unfit to Proceed or Lacking Responsibility for Conduct Due to Mental Illness
(a) If the juvenile court initiates proceedings for court-ordered mental health services under § 55.37(1) or 55.56(1), the prosecuting attorney may file with the juvenile court an application for court-ordered mental health services under Sections 574.001 and 574.002, Health and Safety Code. The juvenile court shall:
(1) set a date for a hearing and provide notice as required by Sections 574.005 and 574.006, Health and Safety Code;
(2) direct the local mental health authority to file, before the date set for the hearing, its recommendation for the child’s proposed treatment, as required by § 574.012, Health and Safety Code;
(3) identify the person responsible for court-ordered outpatient mental health services at least three days before the date of a hearing that may result in the court ordering the child to receive court-ordered outpatient mental health services, as required by § 574.0125, Health and Safety Code; and
(4) conduct the hearing in accordance with Subchapter C, Chapter 574, Health and Safety Code.
(b) After conducting a hearing under this section and with consideration given to the least restrictive appropriate setting for treatment of the child and to the parent’s, managing conservator’s, or guardian‘s availability and willingness to participate in the treatment of the child, the juvenile court shall:
(1) if the criteria for court-ordered mental health services under § 55.05(a) or (b) are satisfied, order temporary inpatient or outpatient mental health services; or
(2) if the criteria for court-ordered mental health services under § 55.05(c) or (d) are satisfied, order extended inpatient or outpatient mental health services.
Terms Used In Texas Family Code 55.66
- 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.
- Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
(c) On receipt of the court’s order for inpatient mental health services, the Health and Human Services Commission shall identify a facility and admit the child to the identified facility.
(d) If the child is currently detained in a juvenile detention facility, the juvenile court shall:
(1) order the child released from detention to the child’s home or another appropriate place;
(2) order the child detained or placed in an appropriate facility other than a juvenile detention facility; or
(3) conduct a detention hearing and, if the court makes findings under § 54.01 to support further detention of the child, order the child to remain in the juvenile detention facility subject to further detention orders of the court.