A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning human services.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide detailed information on what happens after the initial 90-day treatment period.

Law About Helping People with Substance Use Disorder

This law allows family members or friends to ask a court to make someone get help for their substance use problem if they refuse to do it themselves.

What This Bill Does

• Allows people like spouses, parents, legal guardians, relatives, or medical service providers to go to the court and ask them to force someone with a substance use disorder to get treatment.
• Requires that when asking the court, these people must give specific information about why the person needs help.
• If the person does not have a lawyer, the court will provide one for free.
• The court can order a medical check-up if they think the person has a substance use disorder and is unable to take care of themselves or might hurt others.
• After getting the results from the medical check-up, the court decides whether to dismiss the case or set up another hearing.
• If the court finds that the individual requires immediate treatment for a substance use disorder and refuses treatment, it can order involuntary outpatient treatment for up to 90 days.

Who It Names or Affects

• People with substance use disorders who refuse treatment
• Family members or friends of people with substance use disorders
• Courts and public defenders

Terms To Know

Substance Use Disorder

A condition where someone has a problem controlling their use of drugs, alcohol, or other substances.

Involuntary Treatment

Treatment that is ordered by the court when someone refuses to get help for themselves.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify what happens after the initial 90-day treatment period.
• It's unclear how this law will affect people who are already receiving voluntary treatment but might refuse it in the future.

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning human services.
Involuntary treatment of substance use disorder.

Current Bill Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning human services.

Involuntary treatment of substance use disorder.

Allows an individual's spouse, legal guardian, friend, relative, or medical service provider to petition a court for involuntary substance use disorder treatment. Requires a petition to include certain information and allows a court to dismiss a petition, without prejudice, if it does not contain the required information. Requires the court to appoint a public defender if the individual subject to a petition seeking involuntary substance use disorder treatment is not represented by an attorney. Requires a court to order the individual to be evaluated by a medical provider if the court finds that: (1) the individual has a substance use disorder; (2) because of the individual's substance use disorder, the individual is experiencing impaired judgment and is unable to independently maintain the individual's activities of daily living or is a danger to self or others; and (3) the individual refuses to voluntarily participate in substance use disorder treatment. Allows a court to order a local law enforcement agency to consider whether an individual meets the criteria for emergency detention under certain circumstances. Requires a medical provider who completes an evaluation concerning an individual's need for substance use disorder treatment to submit the evaluation to the court. Specifies that after receiving an evaluation from a medical provider, the court may dismiss the petition or set a hearing for further evidence to be presented about the individual's need for substance use disorder treatment. Requires a court to order involuntary outpatient substance use disorder treatment for a period, not to exceed 90 days, if medical evidence supports that the individual requires immediate treatment for a substance use disorder and the individual has refused treatment.