If the hospitalized family member wishes to leave the hospital can he or she continue to be detained?
The hospital determines whether a family member should remain hospitalized. If after the first 24-hour examination, the hospital certifies that the person is subject to involuntary hospitalization, another examination must be given within 24 hours from the first examination. If the second examination also finds the patient subject to involuntary commitment, then the patient will be treated and the hospital will bring the patient to the Mental Health Court within 5 days of the examination to secure an order for continued involuntary commitment.
