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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>53935</law_id><section_number>16.1-339</section_number><catch_line>Parental admission of an objecting minor 14 years of age or older</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>16.1-337</reference><reference>16.1-338</reference><reference>16.1-341</reference><reference>16.1-342</reference><reference>16.1-345</reference><reference>22.1-7</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="16.1">Courts Not of Record</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="11">Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="16">Psychiatric Treatment of Minors Act</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> A <span class="dictionary">minor</span> 14 years of age or older who (i) <span class="dictionary">objects</span> to admission or (ii) is <span class="dictionary">incapable of making an informed decision</span> may be admitted to a willing facility for up to 120 hours, pending the review required by subsections B and C, upon the application of a <span class="dictionary">parent</span>. If admission is sought to a state hospital, the <span class="dictionary">community services board</span> serving the area in which the <span class="dictionary">minor</span> resides shall provide the preadmission screening report required by subsection B of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Parental admission of minors younger than 14 and nonobjecting minors 14 years of age or older" href="/16.1-338/">16.1-338</a> and shall ensure that the necessary written <span class="dictionary">findings</span>, except the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">consent</span>, have been made before approving the admission. A temporary detention <span class="dictionary">order</span> under &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Involuntary temporary detention; issuance and execution of order" href="/16.1-340.1/">16.1-340.1</a> shall not be required for a <span class="dictionary">minor</span> to be admitted to a willing facility upon the application of a <span class="dictionary">parent</span> pursuant to this section. <a id="paragraph-198053" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-339/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> A <span class="dictionary">minor</span> admitted under this section shall be examined within 24 hours of his admission by a <span class="dictionary">qualified evaluator</span> designated by the <span class="dictionary">community services board</span> serving the area where the facility is located. If the 24-hour time period expires on a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, or day on which <span class="dictionary">the court</span> is lawfully closed, the 24 hours shall extend to the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, or day on which <span class="dictionary">the court</span> is lawfully closed. The evaluator shall prepare a report that shall include written <span class="dictionary">findings</span> as to whether: <a id="paragraph-198054" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-339/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> The <span class="dictionary">minor</span> appears to have a <span class="dictionary">mental illness</span>, which may include substance abuse as described in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/16.1-336/">16.1-336</a>, serious enough to warrant <span class="dictionary">inpatient treatment</span> and is reasonably likely to benefit from the treatment; <a id="paragraph-198055" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-339/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> The <span class="dictionary">minor</span> has been provided with a clinically appropriate explanation of the nature and purpose of the treatment; and <a id="paragraph-198056" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-339/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> All available modalities of treatment less restrictive than <span class="dictionary">inpatient treatment</span> have been considered and no less restrictive alternative is available that would offer comparable benefits to the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>.
				The <span class="dictionary">qualified evaluator</span> shall submit his report to the juvenile and domestic relations district court for the <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> in which the facility is located. <a id="paragraph-198057" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-339/#B3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Upon admission of a <span class="dictionary">minor</span> under this section, the facility shall file a <span class="dictionary">petition</span> for judicial approval no sooner than 24 hours and no later than 120 hours after admission with the juvenile and domestic relations district court for the <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> in which the facility is located. To the extent available, the <span class="dictionary">petition</span> shall contain the information required by &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Minors in detention homes or shelter care facilities" href="/16.1-339.1/">16.1-339.1</a>. A copy of this <span class="dictionary">petition</span> shall be delivered to the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>&#x2019;s consenting <span class="dictionary">parent</span>. Upon receipt of the <span class="dictionary">petition</span> and of the evaluator&#x2019;s report submitted pursuant to subsection B, <span class="dictionary">the judge</span> shall appoint a <span class="dictionary">guardian ad litem</span> for the <span class="dictionary">minor</span> and <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> to represent the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>, unless it has been determined that the <span class="dictionary">minor</span> has retained <span class="dictionary">counsel</span>. A copy of the evaluator&#x2019;s report shall be provided to the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> and <span class="dictionary">guardian ad litem</span>. <span class="dictionary">The court</span> and the <span class="dictionary">guardian ad litem</span> shall review the <span class="dictionary">petition</span> and evaluator&#x2019;s report and shall ascertain the views of the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>, the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>&#x2019;s consenting <span class="dictionary">parent</span>, the evaluator, and the attending psychiatrist. <span class="dictionary">The court</span> shall conduct its review in such place and manner, including the facility, as it deems to be in the best interests of the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>. Based upon its review and the recommendations of the <span class="dictionary">guardian ad litem</span>, <span class="dictionary">the court</span> shall <span class="dictionary">order</span> one of the following <span class="dictionary">dispositions</span>: <a id="paragraph-198058" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-339/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> If <span class="dictionary">the court</span> finds that the <span class="dictionary">minor</span> does not meet the criteria for admission specified in subsection B, <span class="dictionary">the court</span> shall <span class="dictionary">issue</span> an order directing the facility to release the <span class="dictionary">minor</span> into the <span class="dictionary">custody</span> of the <span class="dictionary">parent</span> who consented to the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>&#x2019;s admission. However, nothing herein shall be deemed to affect the terms and provisions of any valid <span class="dictionary">court order</span> of <span class="dictionary">custody</span> affecting the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>. <a id="paragraph-198059" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-339/#C1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> If <span class="dictionary">the court</span> finds that the <span class="dictionary">minor</span> meets the criteria for admission specified in subsection B, <span class="dictionary">the court</span> shall <span class="dictionary">issue</span> an order authorizing continued hospitalization of the <span class="dictionary">minor</span> for up to 90 days on the basis of the <span class="dictionary">parent</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">consent</span>.
				Within 10 days after the admission of a <span class="dictionary">minor</span> under this section, the <span class="dictionary">director</span> of the facility or the <span class="dictionary">director</span>&#x2019;s designee shall ensure that an individualized plan of treatment has been prepared by the provider responsible for the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>&#x2019;s treatment and has been explained to the <span class="dictionary">parent</span> consenting to the admission and to the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>. A copy of the plan shall also be provided to the <span class="dictionary">guardian ad litem</span> and to <span class="dictionary">counsel</span> for the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>. The <span class="dictionary">minor</span> shall be involved in the preparation of the plan to the maximum feasible extent consistent with his ability to understand and participate, and the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>&#x2019;s family shall be involved to the maximum extent consistent with the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>&#x2019;s treatment needs. The plan shall include a preliminary plan for placement and aftercare upon completion of <span class="dictionary">inpatient treatment</span> and shall include specific behavioral and emotional goals against which the success of treatment may be measured. <a id="paragraph-198060" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-339/#C2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> If <span class="dictionary">the court</span> determines that the available information is insufficient to permit an informed determination regarding whether the <span class="dictionary">minor</span> meets the criteria specified in subsection B, <span class="dictionary">the court</span> shall schedule a commitment <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> that shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures specified in &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Involuntary commitment; petition; hearing scheduled; notice and appointment of counsel" href="/16.1-341/">16.1-341</a> through <a class="law" title="Involuntary commitment; criteria" href="/16.1-345/">16.1-345</a>. The <span class="dictionary">minor</span> may be detained in the hospital for up to 120 additional hours pending the holding of the commitment <span class="dictionary">hearing</span>. <a id="paragraph-198061" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-339/#C3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> A <span class="dictionary">minor</span> admitted under this section who rescinds his objection may be retained in the hospital pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Parental admission of minors younger than 14 and nonobjecting minors 14 years of age or older" href="/16.1-338/">16.1-338</a>. <a id="paragraph-198062" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-339/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> If the <span class="dictionary">parent</span> who consented to a <span class="dictionary">minor</span>&#x2019;s admission under this section revokes his <span class="dictionary">consent</span> at any time, the <span class="dictionary">minor</span> shall be released within 48 hours to the <span class="dictionary">parent</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">custody</span> unless the <span class="dictionary">minor</span>&#x2019;s continued hospitalization is authorized pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Involuntary temporary detention; issuance and execution of order" href="/16.1-340.1/">16.1-340.1</a> or <a class="law" title="Involuntary commitment; criteria" href="/16.1-345/">16.1-345</a>. If the 48-hour time period expires on a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, or day on which <span class="dictionary">the court</span> is lawfully closed, the 48 hours shall extend to the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, or day on which <span class="dictionary">the court</span> is lawfully closed. <a id="paragraph-198063" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-339/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> A <span class="dictionary">minor</span> who has been hospitalized while properly detained by a juvenile and domestic relations district court or <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> court shall be returned to the <span class="dictionary">detention home</span>, <span class="dictionary">shelter care</span>, or other facility approved by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of Juvenile Justice by the sheriff serving the <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> where the <span class="dictionary">minor</span> was detained within 24 hours following completion of a period of <span class="dictionary">inpatient treatment</span>, unless <span class="dictionary">the court</span> having <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> over the case <span class="dictionary">orders</span> that the <span class="dictionary">minor</span> be released from <span class="dictionary">custody</span>. <a id="paragraph-198064" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/16.1-339/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1990, c. 975; 1991, c. 159; 2005, c. 716; 2007, cc. 500, 897; 2008, cc. 139, 774, 783, 807, 808; 2009, cc. 455, 555; 2010, cc. 778, 825; 2015, cc. 504, 535, 543; 2024, cc. 695, 710.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
