Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 70.djvu/667

 70 S T A T. ]

P U B U C LAW 764-JULY 24, 1956

is filed pursuant to section 5 of this Act, a jury is demanded by the patient or by the United States attorney for the District of Columbia. Each patient concerning whom a report is filed shall be detained at such place as the Commissioners may designate until the completion of such hearing or until released as provided in section 5(b) hereof. " (b) The rules of evidence applicable in civil judicial proceedings shall be applicable to hearings pursuant to this section, including the right of the patient to present evidence in his own behalf and to suopena and cross-examine witnesses. However, no patient examined ursuant to the provisions of this Act, shall be permitted at any earing ordered pursuant to this section to object to the submission of testimony concerning such examination on the ground of privilege.

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"CONFINEMENT OF PATIENT

"SEC. 9. If the court finds the patient to be a drug user, it may commit him to a hospital designated by the patient or the Commissioners and approved by the court, to be confined there for rehabilitation until released in accordance with section 10 of this Act. In the -event a patient elects to designate a hospital to which he wishes to be committed, he shall be required to satisfy the court that such hospital has medical, rehabilitation, and security facilities comparable to the institutions designated by the Commissioners and, in addition, the cost of such hospitalization shall be borne by the patient. The head of the hospital shall submit written reports within such periods as the court may direct, but no longer than six months after the commitment and for successive intervals of time thereafter, and state reasons why the patient has not been released. "RELEASE or PATIENT

"SEC. 10. (a) When the head of the hospital to which the patient is committed finds that the patient appears to be no longer in need of confinement for treatment purposes, or has received maximum benefits, he shall give notice to the judge of the committing court, and said patient shall be delivered to the said court for such further action as the court may deem necessary and proper under the provisions of this Act. " (b) The court, upon petition of the patient after confinement for one ^ear, shall inquire into the refusal or failure of the head of the hospital to release him. If the court finds that the patient is no longer in need of care, treatment, guidance, or rehabilitation, or has received maximum benefits, it shall order the patient released, in accordance with the provisions of section 11 of this Act. uPERIODIC EXAMINATION OF RELEASED PATIENTS

"SEC. 11. (a) For two years after his release, the patient shall report to the Commissioners at such times and places as required, for a physical examination to determine whether the patient has again become a drug user. If the Commissioners determine that the person examined is a drug user, they shall then order the patient into an institution in accordance with the provisions of this Act. " (b) Upon the failure of any patient to report in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) hereof, the United States attorney for the District of Columbia shall be notified of such failure, and a statement of such failure to report shall be filed with the court. The court shall issue an attachment for the patient and order him confined forthwith for examination and such further action as the court may deem necessary and proper under the provisions of this Act.

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