Relating to testimony at involuntary commitment hearings by physician assistants and advanced registered nurse practitioners

This bill relates to testimony at involuntary commitment hearings by physician assistants (assistant) and advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNP). The bill allows an assistant or an ARNP to be present and testify on behalf of a licensed physician and surgeon, osteopathic physician and surgeon, mental health professional, or certified alcohol and drug counselor who examined a respondent in an involuntary commitment hearing for a substance abuse disorder if the court grants an application that contains certain sworn statements as detailed in the bill. The bill contains similar language to allow an assistant or ARNP to appear and testify on behalf of a licensed physician or a mental health professional at an involuntary commitment hearing for a respondent’s serious mental impairment.