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​In 1982, Kentucky passed the Kentucky Mental Health Hospitalization Act to address the sensitive issue of involuntary hospitalization. Involuntary hospitalization refers to the admittance of an individual to a hospital or psychiatric care facility against his or her will.
An individual suffering from mental illness can be involuntarily hospitalized if (a) he or she presents a danger of threat to self, family or others resulting from mental illness (b) he or she can reasonably benefit from treatment AND (c) hospitalization is the least restrictive means of treatment presently available. 
TEMPORARY COMMITMENT
Initiated when a qualified medical professional, police officer, County or Commonwealth Attorney, spouse, relative, friend, guardian or other interested person files a petition (link) for involuntary hospitalization of a mentally ill individual.
An individual subject to temporary commitment is entitled to a hearing.
The court will determine if probable cause exists to order involuntary hospitalization.
IMMEDIATE DETENTION
The officer may immediately transport an individual believed to be mentally ill that presents a threat to self, family, or others to a hospital or psychiatric facility.
Individuals must be evaluated within 18 hours of detention to determine whether involuntary hospitalization is necessary.
EMERGENCY ADMISSION
Initiated by an authorized staff physician or health care provider.
Involves admitting a mentally ill individual, already present in a hospital, into a psychiatric care facility.
The individual must not be held for longer than 72 hours.
Involuntary hospitalization process:
 A petition for involuntary hospitalization must be filed by a family member or other concerned individual in the District Court of the county where the person to be hospitalized lives or is present at the time of filing.
The District Court of the county must set a preliminary hearing date within six (6) days of holding or examination.
Notice of the involuntary hospitalization hearing must be given to the mentally ill individual and, if applicable, to the individual’s guardian, spouse, parents, nearest relative or friend, if known.
The District Court will examine the person filing the petition [“petitioner”] under oath about why he or she believes it is necessary to involuntarily hospitalize the mentally ill individual.
If the Court finds probable cause to involuntarily hospitalize the mentally ill individual, the court will order the person to a facility and set a final hearing within twenty-one (21) days from the examination in the county where the individual is hospitalized.
After the final hearing, the court can involuntarily hospitalize the individual for a period of sixty (60) to three hundred sixty (360) consecutive days from date of the court order, depending on what was requested in the petition.
If the court finds that no probable cause exists to involuntarily hospitalize, the proceedings must be dismissed and the individual will be released.

Casey’s Law
Casey’s law is the common name given to the involuntary treatment of persons suffering from alcohol and drug abuse in Kentucky. Casey’s Law provides a means of intervention with someone who is unable to recognize his or her need for treatment due to their addiction. Casey’s Law allows parents, relatives, and/or friends (called a “petitioner”) to petition (link) the court for treatment on behalf of the person who is abusing alcohol and/or drugs (called a “respondent”).
TREATMENT OPTIONS
The treatment options available under the law can vary depending on the circumstances of each individual case. The petitioner must sign a guarantee of payment, as they are obligated to pay all costs incurred in the process as well as the cost of treatment. Costs incurred can be extensive, something that the petitioner should be aware of before signing the guarantee of payment.
Under Casey’s Law, a person suffering from drug or alcohol abuse, known as the respondent, if the court finds:
The respondent suffers from alcohol or drug abuse:
The respondent presents an imminent threat of danger to their self, family or others as a result of alcohol or drug abuse, or there exists a substantial likelihood of such a threat of danger in the near future; and
The respondent will reasonably benefit from the treatment.
HOW TO SEEK INVOLUNTARY TREATMENT
A spouse, relative, friend, or guardian may file a petition with the County Attorney. Complete Verified Petition – AOC 700A for 60/360 Day Involuntary Treatment (Substance Use Disorder). This petition can be used for a 72-hour hold, 60-day treatment, or 360-day treatment. You will need the following information:
Petitioner’s relationship to the respondent
Respondent’s name, residence, and current location, if known
Name and residence of respondent’s parents, if living and if known, or respondent’s legal guardian, if any and if known
Name and residence of respondent’s spouse, if any, and if known
Name and residence of the person having custody of the respondent, if any, or if no person is known, the name and residence of a near relative or that the person is unknown; and
Petitioner’s belief, including the factual basis therefor, that the respondent is suffering from an alcohol or other drug disorder and presents a danger or threat of danger to self, family, or others if not treated for substance use disorder.
File the petition with the Todd Circuit Clerk’s Office at the Todd County Justice Center, First Floor.
While filing the petition, the petitioner must provide the Clerk with the names of a physician and one qualified mental health professional to evaluate the respondent. A qualified health professional can include a mental health professional, alcohol and drug counselor, or physician. The petitioner must make the appointments. The County Attorney’s Office cannot do this for you.
The Court will give a copy of the petition to the petitioner and will mail a copy to the respondent. The sheriff will also serve the respondent with the petition as well.
After the Court reviews the allegations in the petition, the Court will examine the petitioner under oath to determine whether there is probable cause to believe the respondent presents a danger to self or others as a result of alcohol or drug abuse. If probable cause is established, the Court will order the respondent to be evaluated by the named qualified health professionals and set the matter for a hearing within fourteen (14) days.
The respondent must be examined by the health professionals at least 24 hours prior to the hearing date. Each will either file a report with the district court clerk or give a report to the petitioner to file with the district court clerk at least 24 hours prior to the hearing date.
The Court will hold a hearing after evaluations to determine if the respondent should undergo treatment. The Court may order treatment from sixty (60) days or up to three hundred sixty (360) days, depending upon the request in the petition, the result of the hearing, and the opinions of the treating professionals.
The petitioner is responsible for obtaining treatment services and transporting the respondent to the treatment facility.