RETURN OF COMMITTED PATIENT TO STATE OF RESIDENCE; RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS

(a) In this section, "state or local authority" means a state or local government authority or agency or a representative of a state or local government authority or agency acting in an official capacity. (b) If a state or local authority of another state petitions the department, the department shall enter into a reciprocal agreement with the state or local authority to facilitate the return of persons committed to mental health facilities in this state to the state of their residence unless the department determines that the terms of the agreement are not acceptable. (c) A reciprocal agreement entered into by the department under Subsection (b) must require the department to develop a process for returning persons committed to mental health facilities to their state of residence. The process must: (1) provide suitable care for the person committed to a mental health facility; (2) use available resources efficiently; and (3) consider commitment to a proximate mental health facility to facilitate the return of the committed patient to the patient's state of residence. (d) For the purpose of this section, the department shall coordinate, as appropriate, with a mental health facility, a mental hospital, health service providers, courts, and law enforcement personnel located in the geographic area nearest the petitioning state.