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Oregon Health Authority

Civil Commitment

Overview

​Civil commitment is a process in which a judge decides whether a person alleged to be mentally ill should be required to accept mental health treatment.

​A civil commitment is not a criminal conviction and will not go on a criminal record.​​

​When a civil commitment petition has been filed, an investigator from the Community Mental Health Program (CMHP) investigates the need for the commitment. Depending on the investigator’s decision:

  • ​The case may be dismissed without a hearing, 
  • The person may go into a diversion program, or 
  • A​ hearing may be held. 

​If a hearing is held, the person has a lawyer and witnesses testify. The judge then makes a decision whether the person should be committed.

​A person can be committed if the judge finds by clear and convincing evidence that the person has a mental disorder and, because of that mental disorder, is:

  • ​Dangerous to self or others, or
  • Unable to provide for basic personal needs like health and safety.

A person can also be committed if the judge finds that the person is:

  • Diagnosed as having a major mental illness such as schizophrenia or manic-depression, and
  • Has been committed and hospitalized twice in the last three years, is showing symptoms or behavior similar to those that preceded and led to a prior hospitalization and, 
  • Unless treated, will continue, to a reasonable medical probability, to deteriorate to become a danger to self or others or unable to provide for basic needs.​

​If the person is committed, the person may be hospitalized or may be required to undergo treatment in some other setting.​

Forms

These forms are examples for reference or guidance. Community mental health programs, courts, deputies, and others can use them, but this is not required. Refer to OHA's fact sheet for an overview of each form.




Updates

August 2024 Civil Commitment Certification Trainings for Examiners and Investigators

January 24 and 25, 2024 Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) meetings for Civil Commitment Rules - Find dates, times and material on the RAC page.

Engagement and Listening Sessions on Civil Commitment Oregon Administrative Rule Revisions, Fall 2023

Rules Advisory Committee Notifications for Chapter 309 Division 033 (Involuntary Commitment Proceedings):

Chapter 309 Division 033 rule revisions, effective 4/7/2023

Frequently asked questions about the new Placement Order form (12/29/2022)

Contacts

Terry Schroeder

Zachary Thornhill

General inquiries

Links

Civil Commitment Oregon Administrative Rule

Learn more about civil commitment