Maximum Period; When Termination of Certification and

Release of Involuntary Patient Required.

(a)Certification shall be for no more than 28 days, and shall terminate as soon as, in the opinion of the qualified mental health professional staff of the facility providing intensive treatment, the patient has improved sufficiently for him to leave, or is prepared to accept voluntary treatment on referral or to remain in the facility providing intensive treatment on a voluntary basis.

(b)Except as otherwise provided in the provisions of Article 5 or Article 7 of this Chapter, a facility providing intensive treatment must release all involuntary patients at the end of 28 days who do not agree to receive further treatment on a voluntary basis.