House Bill 1546 Summary

• Requires use of uniform affidavits and written guides for alcohol/drug commitments and civil mental health commitments in all Mississippi counties, developed by the Department of Mental Health and made available to the public

• Authorizes chancellors to order outpatient treatment for alcoholics and drug addicts when appropriate, with procedures for enforcing compliance and escalating to inpatient treatment if necessary

• Establishes community mental health centers as the first point of entry for pre-evaluation screening and treatment in civil commitment proceedings, with alternative examiners if centers are unavailable

• Creates one-year continuing court jurisdiction over persons discharged from alcohol/drug or mental health treatment programs, allowing courts to conduct hearings for recommitment if needed

• Prohibits requiring affiants to retain attorneys for commitment filings, caps total fees and assessments at $150 for civil commitments, and prohibits charging certain court costs to affiants