WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE
2025 REGULAR SESSION
Introduced
Senate Bill 515
By Senator Helton
[Introduced February 18, 2025; referredto the Select Committee on Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health; and then to the Committee on the Judiciary]
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §27-5A-1, §27-5A-2, §27-5A-3, §27-5A-4, §27-5A-5, and §27-5A-6, relating to involuntary hospitalization for substance use disorder; setting forth criteria for treatment; setting forth process for initiation of proceedings; setting forth who may file a petition; setting forth contents of petition; setting forth court proceedings; setting forth time frames; requiring examination; permitting emergency involuntary treatment; permitting summons to be issued if individual fails to attend examination; addressing transportation; and addressing payment for transportation.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
## ARTICLE 5A. INVOLUNTARY HOSPITALIZATION--SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.
(a) Notwithstanding any other code provision to the contrary, involuntary treatment ordered for a person suffering from substance use disorder shall follow the procedures set forth in this article.
(b) Except as otherwise provided for in this article, all rights guaranteed by §27-5-1 et seq. to involuntarily hospitalized mentally ill persons shall be guaranteed to a person ordered to undergo treatment for substance use disorder.
No person suffering from substance use disorder shall be ordered to undergo treatment unless that person:
(1) Suffers from substance use disorder;
(2) Presents an imminent threat of danger to self, family, or others as a result of a substance use disorder, or there exists a substantial likelihood of such a threat in the near future; and
(3) Can reasonably benefit from treatment.
(a) Proceedings for 60 days or 360 days of treatment for an individual suffering from substance use disorder shall be initiated by the filing of a verified petition in Circuit Court.
(b) The petition and all subsequent court documents shall be entitled: "In the interest of (name of respondent)".
(c) The petition shall be filed by a spouse, relative, friend, or guardian of the individual concerning whom the petition is filed.
(d) The petition shall set forth:
(1) Petitioner's relationship to the respondent;
(2) Respondent's name, residence, and current location, if known;
(3) The name and residence of respondent's parents, if living and if known, or respondent's legal guardian, if any and if known;
(4) The name and residence of respondent's husband or wife, if any and if known;
(5) The name and residence of the person having custody of the respondent, if any, or if no such person is known, the name and residence of a near relative or that the person is unknown; and
(6) Petitioner's belief, including the factual basis therefor, that the respondent is suffering from an alcohol and other drug abuse disorder and presents a danger or threat of danger to self, family, or others if not treated for substance use disorder.
(7) Any petition filed pursuant to this subsection shall be accompanied by a guarantee, signed by the petitioner or other person authorized under subsection (c) of this section, obligating that person to pay all costs for treatment of the respondent for substance use disorder that is ordered by the court.
(a) Upon receipt of the petition, the court shall examine the petitioner under oath as to the contents of the petition.
(b) If, after reviewing the allegations contained in the petition and examining the petitioner under oath, it appears to the court that there is probable cause to believe the respondent should be ordered to undergo treatment, then the court shall:
(1) Set a date for a hearing within 14 days to determine if the respondent should be ordered to undergo treatment for a substance use disorder;
(2) Notify the respondent, the legal guardian, if any and if known, and the spouse, parents, or nearest relative or friend of the respondent concerning the allegations and contents of the petition and the date and purpose of the hearing; and the name, address, and telephone number of the attorney appointed to represent the respondent; and
(3) Cause the respondent to be examined no later than 24 hours before the hearing date by two qualified health professionals, at least one of whom is a physician. The qualified health professionals:
(A) Shall certify their findings to the court within 24 hours of the examinations;
(B) May be subject to subpoena for cross-examination at the hearing, either in person, by telephone, or by videoconference; and
(C) May conduct the examination required by this paragraph via telehealth.
(c) If, upon completion of the hearing, the court finds by proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the respondent should be ordered to undergo treatment, then the court shall order such treatment for a period not to exceed 60 consecutive days from the date of the court order or a period not to exceed 360 consecutive days from the date of the court order, whatever was the period of time that was requested in the petition or otherwise agreed to at the hearing. Failure of a respondent to undergo treatment ordered pursuant to this subsection may place the respondent in contempt of court.
(d) If, at any time after the petition is filed, the court finds that there is no probable cause to continue treatment or if the petitioner withdraws the petition, then the proceedings against the respondent shall be dismissed.
(a) Following an examination by a qualified health professional and a certification by that professional that the person meets the criteria specified in §27-5A-2, the court may order the person hospitalized for a period not to exceed 72 hours if the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that the respondent presents an imminent threat of danger to self, family, or others as a result of a substance use disorder.
(b) Any person who has been admitted to a hospital under subsection (a) of this section shall be released from the hospital within 72 hours of admittance.
(c) No respondent ordered hospitalized under this section shall be held in jail pending transportation to the hospital or evaluation unless the court has previously found the respondent to be in contempt of court for either failure to undergo treatment or failure to appear at the evaluation ordered pursuant to §27-5A-4.
When the court is authorized to issue an order that the respondent be transported to a hospital, the court may, or if the respondent fails to attend an examination scheduled before the hearing provided for §27-5A-4 then the court shall, issue a summons. A summons so issued shall be directed to the respondent and shall command the respondent to appear at a time and place therein specified. If a respondent who has been summoned fails to appear at the hospital or the examination, then the court may order the sheriff to transport the respondent to a hospital or psychiatric facility designated by the Secretary of Health Facilities for treatment under §27-2-1. The transportation costs of the sheriff shall be included in the costs of treatment for a substance use disorder to be paid by the petitioner.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to permit involuntary hospitalization of persons experiencing substance use disorder presenting an imminent threat of danger to self, family, or others as a result of a substance use disorder. The bill sets forth the procedure for the hospitalization.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.