Upon completion of the hearing provided in § 27A-10-8, the board of mental illness may order the involuntary commitment of the person for an initial period not to exceed ninety days if a majority of the board finds by clear and convincing evidence, supported by written findings of fact and conclusions of law, that:

(1) The person meets the criteria in § 27A-1-2;

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Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 27A-10-9.1

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Person: includes natural persons, partnerships, associations, cooperative corporations, limited liability companies, and corporations. See South Dakota Codified Laws 2-14-2
  • written: include typewriting and typewritten, printing and printed, except in the case of signatures, and where the words are used by way of contrast to typewriting and printing. See South Dakota Codified Laws 2-14-2

(2) The person needs and is likely to benefit from the treatment which is proposed; and

(3) The commitment is to the least restrictive treatment alternative.

The board may commit the person to the Human Services Center or a veterans’ administration hospital. The board may also commit the person to a private facility or an outpatient treatment program, if that facility or program agrees to accept the commitment and if the commitment will not result in liability to any county for the cost of treating such person.

If the above findings are not made, the board shall order that the person be released. Following such release, the referring county shall provide the person with transportation to the county where the person was taken into custody if the person chooses. The county ultimately shown to be the county of residence shall reimburse the referring county for any transportation costs. However, the provisions of chapter 28-14 do not apply. If the board orders the involuntary commitment of the person, the board shall immediately notify the person and the person’s attorney of the right to appeal pursuant to § 27A-11A-25.

Source: SL 1987, ch 198, § 17; SL 1991, ch 220, § 121; SL 1992, ch 189, § 35; SL 1995, ch 159; SL 1999, ch 143, § 4; SL 2012, ch 149, § 17.