Mississippi Administrative Code
Title 24 - Mental Health
Part 1 - Policies of the Mississippi Board of Mental Health
Chapter 3 - Admissions
Subchapter 3 - Criteria for Admission of Children and Adolescents to Mississippi State Hospital
Rule 24-1-3.3.5 - CATCHMENT AREAS

A. A person who is under the age of fourteen (14) years may be admitted upon the application of his/her parent/guardian if the following has occurred:

B. A person who is fourteen (14) years of age or older but less than eighteen (18) years of age may be admitted to a treatment program pursuant to an order of the Chancery Court or Youth Court in the same manner as an adult may be involuntarily committed.

C. A person between the ages of twelve (12) and eighteen (18) may be admitted for treatment of chemical dependency by application of his/her parent or legal guardian or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

D. Priority shall be given to court orders. Admissions are limited by the official bed capacity. Individuals eligible for admission for whom space is not available shall be placed on the waiting list.

E. Involuntary admissions must meet statutory requirements as defined in Section 41-21-61, et seq. Consistent with this statutory framework, psychiatric services are available only for individuals with a substantial psychiatric disorder who pose a serious threat of physical harm.