ID S1327

Repeals and recreates section 66-327 to establish that costs for precommitment and commitment periods are the responsibility of the person committed, subject to the Department of Health and Welfare's determination of ability to pay; specifies that psychiatric care costs are paid at medicaid rates, medical costs follow chapter 35 title 31, and routine care costs are paid by the department.

Revises definitions related to mental illness hospitalization, including adding "dispositioner" (a designated examiner who determines appropriate care location), "senior designated examiner," and "neurocognitive disorder"; clarifies that "mentally ill" excludes certain conditions specified in section 66-329(13)(a).

Changes guardianship appointment procedures under section 66-322 to reduce the hearing timeframe from seven (7) days to five (5) days and replaces references to "licensed physician or licensed clinical psychologist" with "senior designated examiner."

Modifies section 66-329 commitment procedures to require the Department of Health and Welfare to deliver committed patients to designated facilities within forty-eight (48) hours and to consider alternatives such as "holding proceedings in abeyance" for up to thirty (30) days before ordering involuntary commitment.

Changes section 66-337 to reduce the notification period for release of certain criminal defendants from thirty (30) days to seven (7) days and updates terminology regarding commitment termination criteria.