Taken In For An Evaluation
Health-Gen. § 10-622 — a petition for emergency evaluation, and who may file one
In Maryland, a petition for emergency evaluation may be made only if the petitioner has reason to believe the individual has a mental disorder and presents a danger to the life or safety of the individual or of others.
| Who may petition | On what |
|---|---|
| Who may petitionA physician, psychologist, clinical social worker, licensed counselor or therapist, psychiatric nurse, or health officer who has examined the individual | On whatThe examination, or other pertinent information |
| Who may petitionA peace officer who personally observed the individual or their behavior | On whatThe observation, or other pertinent information |
| Who may petitionAny other interested person | On whatThe petition and its stated facts |
- The petition is signed and verified, and gives the petitioner's name, address and telephone numbers.
- It names and describes the individual, and gives their address and a relative's, if available.
- It describes the behavior and statements that led to the belief, and any other supporting facts.
- A clinician petitioner includes a license number and gives the petition to a peace officer, who explains its serious nature and meaning.
The petition is made under penalties of perjury. The petition form contains a notice that the petitioner may be required to appear before a court and makes the statements under penalties of perjury.
Court endorsement of a petition from any other interested person, the time limits on the evaluation, and admission after it are in other sections of the subtitle and are not reproduced here. Whether a petition met the statute is a question for a court and for a licensed Maryland attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Md. Code, Health-Gen. § 10-622 — Petition for emergency evaluation
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Maryland attorney.