March 2025 Mental Health Law Newsletter

Respondent appealed from a trial court order granting the State’s petition for an involuntary hospital admission, arguing that it violated the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. The appellate court reversed, finding that the State failed to provide the required pre-dispositional report and that the hearing on the petition was untimely and that the failure to comply with a hearing within the required five days prejudiced the respondent because she was detained beyond the statutory deadline without a hearing. The appellate court also noted that this disposition is part of a longer list of appellate court opinions finding a lack of adherence to the requirements of the code. (HARRIS and ZENOFF, concurring)