A Florida receiving facility files this Baker Act petition when it seeks a court order for involuntary inpatient services. The administrator's petition is supported by two expert opinions, each based on a personal examination within 72 hours, finding mental illness, refusal of or inability to decide on voluntary placement, and a risk of harmful self-neglect or serious bodily harm, with less restrictive alternatives judged inappropriate.
The facility administrator or designee completes the petition pages. A psychiatrist signs the First Opinion; a psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, or in some cases a licensed physician or psychiatric nurse signs the Second Opinion.
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Petition for Involuntary Inpatient Services
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A psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, licensed physician or psychiatric nurse who personally examined the person within 72 hours. A licensed physician with postgraduate mental health training, or a psychiatric nurse, qualifies only when the administrator certifies that no psychiatrist or clinical psychologist is available.
Within the 72-hour examination period for a person admitted for involuntary examination, or on the next court business day if that period ends on a weekend or legal holiday. For a person transferred to involuntary status, it is due within two court business days.
The petition states that at least one of the two experts whose opinions are attached may testify, and it lets the facility list other witnesses with their relationship to the person. It also records whether the person has a private attorney.