Definitions

(1) “Available suitable accommodations” means that an RMHI has the capacity, as reasonably determined by the Commissioner in accordance with these rules, and the medical capability, equipment and staffing to provide an appropriate level of care, treatment and physical security to a service recipient in an unoccupied and unassigned bed. (2) “Certificate of need” means, for the purposes of this chapter, a certification of need for care and treatment for a service recipient with mental illness or serious emotional disturbance who meets the criteria for involuntary commitment under T.C.A. Title 33, Chapter 6, Part 4 or Part 5. (3) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. (4) “Department” means the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. (5) “Forensic” means admission legal status resulting from a court order for admission under T.C.A. Title 33, Chapter 7, Part 3. (6) “Geographic Catchment Area” means those counties assigned to an RMHI by the Commissioner. (7) “Local RMHI” means the RMHI for a geographic catchment area. (8) “Mandatory Pre-screening Agent” means a person meeting criteria required by T.C.A. § 33-6- 427 who is designated by the Commissioner to perform pre-screening of service recipients for emergency involuntary admission. (9) “Medical capability” means that an RMHI has the ability to treat a service recipient’s medical needs onsite or that the service recipient’s medical needs do not exceed the onsite capability of the RMHI to treat. (10) “Regional Mental Health Institute or RMHI” means a state owned or operated hospital for service recipients with mental illness or serious emotional disturbance. ADMISSIONS TO A REGIONAL MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTE (RMHI) CHAPTER 0940-03-13 (11) “Service Recipient” means, for the purposes of this chapter, a person who is receiving service, has applied for service, or for whom someone has applied for or proposed service because the person has mental illness or a serious emotional disturbance. (12) “Transportation agent” means, for the purposes of this chapter: (a) The sheriff in a county in which a service recipient with mental illness or serious emotional disturbance is detained; (b) A secondary transportation agent under T.C.A. § 33-6-901; (c) A municipal law enforcement agency that meets the requirements as a secondary transportation agent; or (d) One or more friends, neighbors or other mental health professionals familiar with the service recipient, relatives of the service recipient, or a member of the clergy. (13) “Written Verification Statement” means a written statement verifying available suitable accommodations provided by a referral source who has contacted the RMHI about the availability of suitable accommodations. This statement shall include the name of the service recipient, the name of the RMHI with available suitable accommodations, a confirmation number from the RMHI, and the name and phone number of the referral source or the referral source’s designated contact person.