Section 202A.041 - [Effective Until 7/15/2024] Warrantless arrest and subsequent proceedings(1) Any peace officer who has reasonable grounds to believe that an individual is mentally ill and presents a danger or threat of danger to self, family, or others if not restrained shall take the individual into custody and transport the individual without unnecessary delay to a hospital or psychiatric facility designated by the cabinet for the purpose of an evaluation to be conducted by a qualified mental health professional. Upon transport of the person to the hospital or psychiatric facility, the peace officer shall provide written documentation which describes the behavior of the person which caused the peace officer to take the person into custody. If, after evaluation, the qualified mental health professional finds that the person does not meet the criteria for involuntary hospitalization, the person shall be released immediately and transported back to the person's home county by an appropriate means of transportation as provided in KRS 202A.101. If, after evaluation, the qualified mental health professional finds that the person meets the criteria for involuntary hospitalization, appropriate proceedings under this chapter shall be initiated. The person may be held pending certification by a qualified mental health professional and implementation of procedures as provided in KRS 202A.028, 202A.031, or 202A.051 for a period not to exceed eighteen (18) hours.(2) If, after the evaluation, the qualified mental health professional finds that the person does not meet the criteria for involuntary hospitalization and the peace officer has probable cause to believe that the person has committed a criminal offense, the peace officer may swear out a warrant and take the arrested person without unnecessary delay before a judge.Effective:7/15/1994
Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 498, sec. 3, effective7/15/1994. -- Amended 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 139, sec. 4, effective 7/15/1988. -- Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 445, sec. 6, effective 7/1/1982.This section is set out more than once due to postponed, multiple, or conflicting amendments.