This section governs procedural requirements for involuntary mental health commitment proceedings in Pennsylvania, including the appointment and notification of mental health review officers, issuance of warrants for emergency commitments, coordination of hearings, and the limitation that judges and review officers may not direct specific treatment techniques to treatment teams. It is part of a broader chapter establishing standards for mental health treatment facilities and services under the Mental Health Procedures Act.
View official source55 Pa. Code § 5100.21 - Proceedings State Regulations Compare (a) The county administrator shall inform the Deputy Secretary of Mental Health of the appointment of mental health review officers. If no review officer is appointed, then the administrator should inform the Department of the judge who hears and determines commitments under the act. The Department will inform the mental health review officers and courts of new policies, procedures, and interpretations relating to the act and the provision of mental health services and will make available training to aid them in carrying out their duties. (b) A mental health review officer, unless specifically authorized by the court having jurisdiction over the person, shall not reduce the conditions of security of a person committed under section 401 of the act ( 50 P. S. § 7401 ). (c) The administrator's office shall assist petitioners with the preparation of the commitment petitions, applications, and request for certification for persons not already subject to involuntary treatment. (d) The administrator shall designate representatives to issue warrants for involuntary emergency commitments. (e) The administrator shall coordinate, when designated by the court, all hearings and file all applications and certifications under the act. (f) Notwithstanding any other provision of the act, no judge or mental health review officer shall specify to the treatment team the adoption of any treatment technique, modality, or drug therapy. Notes 55 Pa. Code § 5100.21 State regulations are updated quarterly; we currently have two versions available. Below is a comparison between our most recent version and the prior quarterly release. More comparison features will be added as we have more versions to compare. No prior version found. State Regulations Toolbox