Civil Commitment

The juvenile court has exclusive original jurisdiction of all proceedings concerning a child for whom an application for involuntary or voluntary hospitalization for mental illness has been filed. However, the juvenile court follows the same procedures that apply to adult proceedings. When a child is hospitalized for mental illness with the juvenile court's approval over the child's objection, the child's family shall be included in counseling sessions offered during the child's stay in the hospital when feasible. Prior to discharge of the child, the court may, after a hearing, order the child's family to be evaluated and, if necessary, to therapy to facilitate the return of the child to the family setting.