The board of mental illness conducting the hearing as provided in § 27A-15-19 shall order testimony by a qualified mental health professional who shall assess the availability and appropriateness of treatment alternatives including programs other than inpatient treatment. Such testimony shall include what alternatives are or should be made available, what alternatives were investigated, and why any investigated alternatives are not considered appropriate. If the board determines that alternatives to inpatient treatment are appropriate, continued inpatient treatment may not be authorized.

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Source: SL 1992, ch 189, § 21A.