March 7, 2006, Introduced by Senators STAMAS, GOSCHKA, HARDIMAN, HAMMERSTROM and BIRKHOLZ and referred to the Committee on Health Policy.
A bill to amend 1974 PA 258, entitled
"Mental health code,"
by amending section 409 (MCL 330.1409), as amended by 2004 PA 555.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 409. (1) Each community mental health services program
shall establish 1 or more preadmission screening units with 24-hour
availability to provide assessment and screening services for
individuals being considered for admission into hospitals or
alternative treatment programs. The community mental health
services program shall employ mental health professionals or
individuals who possess a bachelor's degree in social work to
provide the preadmission screening services or contract with
another
agency , which shall meet that meets the requirements of
this section. Preadmission screening unit staff shall be supervised
by a registered professional nurse or other mental health
professional possessing at least a master's degree.
(2) Each community mental health services program shall
provide the address and telephone number of its preadmission
screening unit or units to law enforcement agencies, the
department, the court, and hospital emergency rooms.
(3) A preadmission screening unit shall assess an individual
being considered for admission into a hospital operated by the
department or under contract with the community mental health
services program. If the individual is clinically suitable for
hospitalization, the preadmission screening unit shall authorize
voluntary admission to the hospital.
(4) If the preadmission screening unit of the community mental
health services program denies hospitalization, the individual or
the person making the application may request a second opinion from
the executive director. The executive director shall arrange for an
additional evaluation by a psychiatrist, other physician, or
licensed psychologist to be performed within 3 days, excluding
Sundays and legal holidays, after the executive director receives
the request. If the conclusion of the second opinion is different
from the conclusion of the preadmission screening unit, the
executive director, in conjunction with the medical director, shall
make a decision based on all clinical information available. The
executive director's decision shall be confirmed in writing to the
individual who requested the second opinion, and the confirming
document shall include the signatures of the executive director and
medical director or verification that the decision was made in
conjunction with the medical director. If an individual is assessed
and found not to be clinically suitable for hospitalization, the
preadmission screening unit shall provide appropriate referral
services.
(5) If an individual is assessed and found not to be
clinically suitable for hospitalization, the preadmission screening
unit shall provide information regarding alternative services and
the availability of those services, and make appropriate referrals.
(6) A preadmission screening unit shall assess and examine, or
refer to a hospital for examination, an individual who is brought
to the unit by a peace officer or ordered by a court to be
examined. If the individual meets the requirements for
hospitalization, the preadmission screening unit shall designate
the hospital to which the individual shall be admitted. The
preadmission screening unit shall consult with the individual and,
if the individual agrees, it shall consult with the individual's
family member of choice, if available, as to the preferred hospital
for admission of the individual.
(7) If the individual chooses a hospital not under contract
with a community mental health services program, and the hospital
agrees to the admission, the preadmission screening unit shall
refer the individual to the hospital that is requested by the
individual. Any financial obligation for the services provided by
the hospital shall be satisfied from funding sources other than the
community mental health services program, the department, or other
state or county funding.