Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Mental Health Commitment Reform topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Granite County first‑reads resolution urging MACo to pursue reforms to involuntary mental‑health commitment process
Summary
County Attorney Blaine Bradshaw presented Resolution 2026‑7 asking the Montana Association of Counties to advocate statutory changes (including allowing qualified mental‑health professionals to authorize a 72‑hour hold by written certification) to speed involuntary commitments amid Warm Springs hospital backlogs; commissioners discussed but took no action on first reading.
County Attorney Blaine Bradshaw introduced Resolution No. 2026‑7 at the June 16 meeting, asking the Montana Association of Counties to advocate for improvements to Montana’s civil involuntary mental‑health commitment process.
Bradshaw told commissioners that the State Hospital at Warm Springs has experienced staffing shortages and bed backlogs that delay admissions and access to treatment. He said MACo had identified potential statutory changes intended to improve timeliness, including permitting qualified mental‑health professionals to authorize a 72‑hour hold via written certification rather than requiring a county attorney to file a petition in all cases.
Commissioners discussed the proposal and acknowledged the challenges posed by state hospital capacity and transfer delays. The resolution asks MACo to explore both the 72‑hour written certification option and additional statutory changes to improve the overall process.
Public comment was requested and none was given. The item was presented for first reading and no formal action was taken following the first reading.
