Civil Commitment

Civil commitment forms on this page are in the process of being revised to ensure compliance with changes to the law. The forms may not reflect changes resulting from House Bills 94, 203, and 299.

Civil Commitment is a legal process through which an individual with symptoms of severe mental illness is court-ordered into treatment in a hospital (inpatient), or in the community (outpatient). All citizens have civil liberties that need to be protected under both federal and state laws, so following “due process” is the most important. Treatment is not punishment! The state may need to take away some civil liberties because an individual presents a danger to self or others due to mental illness.

Declaration for mental health treatment, also known as a psychiatric or mental health advance directive, is a legal tool that allows a person with mental illness to state their preferences for treatment in advance of a crisis. They can serve as a way to protect a person’s autonomy and ability to self-direct care. They are similar to living wills and other medical advance planning documents used in palliative care. 

Child/adolescent process

A clear and separate civil commitment of a child/adolescent exists in Utah statute and rule. Separate standards, paperwork and procedures are also used. In the commitment of a child/adolescent, the Designated Examiner may also be referred to as a Neutral & Detached Fact Finder (NDFF). This person should not be involved in the child’s treatment. 26B-5-403

Adult Process

Court-ordered assisted outpatient treatment (aot) forms

Senate Bill 39 Court-ordered AOT, creates a path to get involved "before" a person becomes a substantial danger to self or others. However, the person must still meet specific criteria to be court-ordered into treatment.

AOT Overview