4E-2 Involuntary Commitment: Emergency Treatment & Guardian’s Authority

Guardians may have authority to authorize involuntary treatment with prescribed medication: 

• When recommended by a mental health provider
• For a period of up to 90 days
• Even if the ward does not want to take the medication.

If no one has been given authority  to authorize involuntary treatment, in severe cases the court may order detention under an emergency mental health commitment to evaluate the patient. The court will hold a preliminary hearing within seven days of the order. Read more about preliminary and treatment hearings.