A. The mental health evaluation of a licensed mental health professional prepared pursuant to Section 5-506 or 5-507 of this title shall include written findings as to whether:

1. The minor appears to be a minor in need of treatment and is reasonably likely to benefit from treatment;

2. Based upon the following, inpatient treatment is the least restrictive alternative that meets the needs of the minor:

a.reasonable efforts have been made to provide for the treatment needs of the minor through the provision of less restrictive alternatives and such alternatives have failed to meet the treatment needs of the minor, or

b.after a thorough consideration of less restrictive alternatives to inpatient treatment, the condition of the minor is such that less restrictive alternatives are unlikely to meet the treatment needs of the minor; and

3. The minor has been provided with a clinically appropriate explanation of the nature and purpose of the treatment.

B. Any mental health evaluation of a minor alleged to be a minor in need of treatment that recommends that the minor be found to be eligible for inpatient mental health or substance abuse treatment shall be signed by the licensed mental health professional examining the minor.

C. The parents, all public agencies, and all providers or programs which have treated or are treating the minor shall cooperate with the person conducting a mental health evaluation for the purpose of providing the mental health evaluation to a district attorney or to a district court and shall promptly deliver, as otherwise provided by law, all records related to the treatment or education of the minor.

Added by Laws 1992, c. 298, § 8, eff. July 1, 1993. Amended by Laws 1995, c. 254, § 7, eff. Nov. 1, 1995; Laws 1998, c. 144, § 7, emerg. eff. April 22, 1998; Laws 2002, c. 327, § 8, eff. July 1, 2002; Laws 2003, c. 130, § 8, eff. Nov. 1, 2003; Laws 2005, c. 110, § 6, eff. Nov. 1, 2005; Laws 2006, c. 97, § 30, eff. Nov. 1, 2006.