SB 142 Summary

• Changes involuntary commitment petition standard from "any adult" to requiring an "adult who has reasonable suspicion based on personal knowledge" that a person is mentally ill and gravely disabled or likely to cause serious harm.

• Raises burden of proof for involuntary commitment decisions from "probable cause" to "clear and convincing evidence" at crisis stabilization centers, crisis residential centers, and evaluation facilities.

• Requires court orders for involuntary commitment be transmitted through verifiable methods (facsimile or email from known court numbers/addresses) to peace officers and facilities.

• Mandates respondents be provided written copies of all court orders relating to their detention and notified of their rights immediately upon detention.

• Restricts psychotropic medication administration in crises to 24-hour orders renewable for up to 72 hours total only, requiring smallest therapeutic doses, personal patient assessment, and documentation of crisis justification and alternative responses considered.