Texas statute
Tex. Fam. Code § 55.11 — Mental illness determination; examination
Current through 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session (2025)
Part of Chapter 55: PROCEEDINGS CONCERNING CHILDREN WITH MENTAL ILLNESS OR INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY, Texas Family Code.
Full text of Tex. Fam. Code § 55.11
Statutory text current through the 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session (2025). This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Texas.
(a) On a motion by a party, the juvenile court shall determine whether probable cause exists to believe that a child who is alleged by petition or found to have engaged in delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision has a mental illness. In making its determination, the court may: (1) consider the motion, supporting documents, professional statements of counsel, and witness testimony; and (2) make its own observation of the child. (b) If the court determines that probable cause exists to believe that the child is a child with mental illness, the court shall temporarily stay the juvenile court proceedings and immediately order the child to be examined under Section 55.04 . The information obtained from the examination must include expert opinion as to: (1) whether the child is a child with mental illness; (2) whether the child meets the criteria for court-ordered mental health services under Section 55.05 for: (A) temporary inpatient mental health services; (B) temporary outpatient mental health services; (C) extended inpatient mental health services; or (D) extended outpatient mental health services; and (3) if applicable, the specific criteria the child meets under Subdivision (2). (c) After considering all relevant information, including information obtained from an examination under Section 55.04 , the court shall: (1) proceed under Section 55.12 if the court determines that evidence exists to support a finding that the child is a child with mental illness and that the child meets the criteria for court-ordered mental health services under Section 55.05 ; or (2) dissolve the stay and continue the juvenile court proceedings if the court determines that evidence does not exist to support a finding that the child is a child with mental illness or that the child meets the criteria for court-ordered mental health services under Section 55.05 .
Official sources
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.