The application must be on the facility’s form and include certificates from a) two physicians, or b) one physician and one psychologist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, licensed certified social worker-clinical, or licensed clinical professional counselor. The certificate must contain certain information and be based on the clinician’s personal examination of the patient, which must occur within a week of signing the certificate or within 30 days of when the facility receives the application. There are conditions under which a facility can accept an application and other requirements if the patient is age 65 or older. If a patient presents a danger to the life or safety of themselves or others, a clinician, peace or law enforcement officer, and others can petition for an emergency evaluation. If the petition is granted, the patient will be transported to an emergency facility for an emergency evaluation, and a physician will determine whether they meet the requirements for involuntary admission.
Within 12 hours of any involuntary confinement, the patient must receive forms in plain language notifying them of their involuntary admission, their right to consult with an attorney of their choice, and the availability of legal services. The patient has the right to request a hearing to dispute the admission, which must be held within 10 days from the patient’s initial confinement, and to appeal the outcome of that hearing. Md. Code, Health-General Art., §§ 10-613 – 10-633 Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) resources. The Behavioral Health Administration provides services and supports to individuals with mental health disorders, substance abuse disorders, and co-occurring disorders. The agency’s Behavioral Health Hospital Coordination Dashboard provides real-time information about the availability of psychiatric beds in hospitals, including inpatient psychiatric beds and crisis beds for short-term stabilization services. Your local Department of Health Behavioral Health Administrator can also assist in finding available beds .
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