K.S.A. § 59-2954 (2026)

59-2954. Emergency observation and treatment; authority of treatment facility's procedure. (a) A treatment facility may admit and detain any person for emergency observation and treatment upon an ex parte emergency custody order issued by a district court pursuant to K.S.A. 59-2958 and amendments thereto.

(b) A treatment facility may admit and detain any person presented for emergency observation and treatment upon written application of a law enforcement officer having custody of that person pursuant to K.S.A. 59-2953 and amendments thereto, except that a state psychiatric hospital shall not admit and detain any such person unless a written statement from a qualified mental health professional authorizing such admission to a state psychiatric hospital has been obtained. The application shall state:

(1) The name and address of the person sought to be admitted, if known;

(2) the name and address of the person's spouse or nearest relative, if known;

(3) the officer's belief that the person may be a mentally ill person subject to involuntary commitment and because of the person's mental illness is likely to cause harm to self or others if not immediately detained;

(4) the factual circumstances in support of that belief and the factual circumstances under which the person was taken into custody including any known pending criminal charges; and

(5) the fact that the law enforcement officer will file the petition provided for in K.S.A. 59-2957 and amendments thereto, by the close of business of the first day thereafter that the district court is open for the transaction of business, or that the officer has been informed by a parent, legal guardian or other person that such parent, legal guardian or other person, whose name shall be stated in the application will file the petition provided for in K.S.A. 59-2957 and amendments thereto within that time.

(c) A treatment facility may admit and detain any person presented for emergency observation and treatment upon the written application of any individual, except that a state psychiatric hospital shall not admit and detain any such person, unless a written statement from a qualified mental health professional authorizing such admission to a state psychiatric hospital has been obtained. The application shall state:

(1) The name and address of the person sought to be admitted, if known;

(2) the name and address of the person's spouse or nearest relative, if known;

(3) the applicant's belief that the person may be a mentally ill person subject to involuntary commitment and because of the person's mental illness is likely to cause harm to self or others if not immediately detained;

(4) the factual circumstances in support of that belief;

(5) any pending criminal charges, if known;

(6) the fact that the applicant will file the petition provided for in K.S.A. 59-2957 and amendments thereto by the close of business of the first day thereafter that the district court is open for the transaction of business; and

(7) if the application is to a treatment facility other than a state psychiatric hospital it shall also be accompanied by a statement in writing of a physician, psychologist, or qualified mental health professional finding that the person is likely to be a mentally ill person subject to involuntary commitment for care and treatment under this act.

(d) Any treatment facility or personnel thereof who in good faith renders treatment in accordance with law to any person admitted pursuant to subsection (b) or (c), shall not be liable in a civil or criminal action based upon a claim that the treatment was rendered without legal consent.

History: L. 1996, ch. 167, § 10; L. 1998, ch. 134, § 41; July 1.