NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1969 SESSION

CHAPTER 1127

SENATE BILL 827

AN ACT AMENDING G.S. 122-63 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE CLERK OF COURT IN LIEU OF COMMITMENT TO A HOSPITAL FOR MENTALLY DISORDERED MAY PROVIDE FOR OUT-PATIENT TREATMENT.

The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact:

Section 1.  G.S. 122-63 is amended by adding immediately after the period at the end of the first paragraph thereof, the following:

"If the clerk deems it appropriate he may, with the approval of the examining physicians, order the alleged mentally ill person or alleged inebriate person to obtain out-patient care and treatment in a local facility or program providing clinical services approved by the North Carolina Department of Mental Health. This order shall remain in force for a period not to exceed 180 days and shall require a minimum weekly treatment and/or counseling period unless otherwise specified by the attending physician accepting responsibility for said care and treatment.

"The clerk shall be advised of the alleged mentally ill or inebriate person's progress and compliance with the judicial order. Failure to comply with this order, or evidence that said out-patient treatment or program fails to meet the needs of the alleged mentally ill or inebriate person shall be sufficient reason for the clerk to have said mentally ill or inebriate person brought before him for other appropriate action.

"If, at the initial hearing a period of in-patient treatment prior to commencing an out‑patient program is recommended by the examining physicians, the clerk may direct the alleged mentally ill or inebriate person to obtain such treatment as a part of the order at such medical facility as may be recommended by the examining physicians."

Sec. 2.  All laws and clauses of laws in conflict with this Act are hereby repealed.

Sec. 3.  This Act shall be effective upon ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 30th day of June, 1969.