If upon completion of the evaluation it is determined that a hearing will be held, the chairman of the board of mental illness which will be conducting the hearing as provided in § 27A-10-8 shall order testimony by a qualified mental health professional who shall assess the availability and appropriateness of treatment alternatives including treatment 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 an alternative to inpatient treatment is appropriate, commitment for inpatient treatment to the center or other inpatient psychiatric facility may not be ordered and commitment shall be to the least restrictive treatment alternative as required in § 27A-15-37.

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Source: SL 1991, ch 220, § 326; SL 1992, ch 189, § 24.