Who can petition a section 35 in Massachusetts?

Who can ask for a Section 35?

  • Blood relatives.
  • Spouses.
  • Police officers.
  • Court officials.
  • Physicians.
  • Guardians.

What happens when someone is sectioned in Massachusetts?

The section allows families and/or the judge to choose a licensed treatment facility. If no beds are available, the individual might be sent to a separate unit at the correctional facility at Bridgewater for men or Framingham for women.

How do you have someone committed in Massachusetts?

Individuals (such as family members) can ask the court to order an emergency mental health commitment, called Section 12 (e) or a commitment for treatment of alcohol or substance use disorder, called a Section 35, by speaking to a clerk in the court.

What can you Section someone for?

You should only be sectioned if:

  • you need to be assessed or treated for your mental health problem.
  • your health would be at risk of getting worse if you did not get treatment.
  • your safety or someone else’s safety would be at risk if you did not get treatment.

What is a section 35 notice?

(1)A constable who gives a person a direction under section 35 may also direct the person to surrender to the constable any item in the person’s possession or control that the constable reasonably believes has been used or is likely to be used in behaviour that harasses, alarms or distresses members of the public.

Can you Section someone without their consent?

You can be sectioned by one doctor only (together with the approved mental health professional) and you can be taken to hospital in an emergency and assessed there. Your rights are different compared to your rights under other sections. For example, you cannot be treated without your consent.

How do I get someone sectioned?

Sectioning. Sectioning is when somebody is lawfully detained in hospital or a mental health facility under the Mental Health Act 1983. Someone can only be sectioned if they meet certain criteria, these are: Their mental health problem is so severe that they need urgent assessment and treatment.

How do you go about getting someone sectioned?