Nebraska Statutes 71-933. Outpatient treatment provider; duties; investigation by county attorney; warrant for immediate custody of subject; when
(1) Any provider of outpatient treatment to a subject ordered by a mental health board to receive such treatment shall report to the board and to the county attorney if (a) the subject is not complying with his or her individualized treatment plan, (b) the subject is not following the conditions set by the mental health board, (c) the treatment plan is not effective, or (d) there has been a significant change in the subject’s mental illness or substance dependence. Such report may be transmitted by facsimile, but the original of the report shall be mailed to the board and the county attorney no later than twenty-four hours after the facsimile transmittal.
Terms Used In Nebraska Statutes 71-933
- Action: shall include any proceeding in any court of this state. See Nebraska Statutes 49-801
- Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
- Attorney: shall mean attorney at law. See Nebraska Statutes 49-801
- Mental health board: means a board created under section Nebraska Statutes 71-905
- Mental health professional: means a person licensed to practice medicine and surgery or psychology in this state under the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact or the Uniform Credentialing Act or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Practice Act who has proof of current certification in a psychiatric or mental health specialty. See Nebraska Statutes 71-906
- Outpatient treatment: means treatment ordered by a mental health board directing a subject to comply with specified outpatient treatment requirements, including, but not limited to, (1) taking prescribed medication, (2) reporting to a mental health professional or treatment facility for treatment or for monitoring of the subject's condition, or (3) participating in individual or group therapy or educational, rehabilitation, residential, or vocational programs. See Nebraska Statutes 71-909
- Person: shall include bodies politic and corporate, societies, communities, the public generally, individuals, partnerships, limited liability companies, joint-stock companies, and associations. See Nebraska Statutes 49-801
- Subject: means any person concerning whom a certificate or petition has been filed under the Nebraska Mental Health Commitment Act. See Nebraska Statutes 71-912
- Sworn: shall include affirmed in all cases in which an affirmation may be substituted for an oath. See Nebraska Statutes 49-801
- Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
(2)(a) Upon receipt of such report, the county attorney shall have the matter investigated to determine whether there is a factual basis for the report.
(b) If the county attorney determines that there is no factual basis for the report or that no further action is warranted, he or she shall notify the board and the treatment provider and take no further action.
(c) If the county attorney determines that there is a factual basis for the report and that intervention by the mental health board is necessary to protect the subject or others, the county attorney may file a motion for reconsideration of the conditions set forth by the board and have the matter set for hearing.
(d) The county attorney may apply for a warrant to take immediate custody of the subject pending a rehearing by the board under subdivision (c) of this subsection if the county attorney has reasonable cause to believe that the subject poses a threat of danger to himself or herself or others prior to such rehearing. The application for a warrant shall be supported by affidavit or sworn testimony by the county attorney, a mental health professional, or any other informed person. The application for a warrant and the supporting affidavit may be filed with the board by facsimile, but the original shall be filed with the board not later than three days after the facsimile transmittal, excluding holidays and weekends. Sworn testimony in support of the warrant application may be taken over the telephone at the discretion of the board.