New Jersey § 30:4-27

§ 30:4-27.

a. The court shall determine whether a patient who has been found to need continued

involuntary commitment to treatment pursuant to section 15 of P.L.1987, c. 116 ( C.30:4-27.15 ) should be assigned to an outpatient setting or admitted to an inpatient setting

for treatment, and shall issue the order authorizing such placement pursuant to section

15 of P.L.1987, c. 116 ( C.30:4-27.15 ), in accordance with this section. In determining the commitment placement, the court shall consider the least restrictive

environment for the patient to receive clinically appropriate treatment that would

ameliorate the danger posed by the patient and provide the patient with appropriate

treatment. b. If the court determines that the least restrictive environment for the patient

to receive clinically appropriate treatment would be in an outpatient setting and

that there is a likelihood of the patient responding to outpatient treatment, the

court shall obtain from a designated outpatient treatment provider a proposed plan

of outpatient treatment for the patient which the court shall review. The plan of outpatient treatment shall be approved by the court. c. If the court determines that the least restrictive environment for the patient

to receive clinically appropriate treatment would be in an inpatient setting, the

court shall issue an order for admission to a psychiatric facility. d. Between the time periods for periodic court review hearings pursuant to section

16 of P.L.1987, c. 116 ( C.30:4-27.16 ), the chief executive officer of a psychiatric facility may recommend changing the

placement of the patient from an inpatient to outpatient setting, in order to ensure

that the patient receives clinically appropriate treatment in the least restrictive

environment. The chief executive officer of the facility shall notify the court of the recommendation

for the change in placement. e. At the time the court sets the date for a hearing on the change in placement, notice

of the hearing shall be served upon the patient, the patient's guardian, if any, the

patient's next-of-kin, the patient's attorney and the county adjuster of the county

in which the patient has legal settlement. f. The provisions of section 14 of P.L.1987, c. 116 ( C.30:4-27.14 ) concerning patient rights at a hearing shall apply to the hearing pursuant to this

subsection.