VA HB309

Authorizes temporary detention of adults in hospital emergency departments for up to 24 hours when a physician determines the person cannot make informed medical decisions due to a mental or physical condition, including intoxication, and immediate care is needed to prevent harm.

Allows a person to be held at a facility for up to two hours while a physician seeks a court or magistrate order for temporary detention, with security personnel permitted to take reasonable measures to prevent the person from leaving.

Requires immediate release if no detention order is issued, the physician determines the person no longer meets detention criteria, or a guardian, agent, or other legally authorized individual refuses consent for continued detention or treatment.

Provides liability protection for licensed health professionals, hospitals, and security personnel involved in detaining a person under these provisions, shielding them from claims based on lack of consent to treatment, testing, or detention.