MN HF3673

Amends Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 253B.09, subdivision 1, regarding the standard of proof for judicial commitment of persons who are mentally ill, developmentally disabled, or chemically dependent.

Courts must find by clear and convincing evidence that no suitable alternative to judicial commitment exists before committing a patient to the least restrictive treatment program that meets the patient's needs.

Courts must consider a range of treatment alternatives including community-based nonresidential treatment, community residential treatment, partial hospitalization, acute care hospital, and regional treatment center services, as well as the patient's treatment preferences and willingness to participate voluntarily.

Allows courts to commit patients found mentally ill under specific criteria to community-based programs meeting the patient's needs, including inpatient mental health services at a community hospital or a community behavioral health hospital operated by the commissioner of human services.

When commitment is to a service facility provided by the commissioner of human services, the commissioner shall designate the placement and report it to the court.