CHAPTER 528

An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 8 of Title 87
an article numbered 4.1, consisting of sections numbered $7-121.1
through 87-121.8, to provide for the voluntary admission of inebriates
to hospitals and institutions.

(S 187]
Approved April 5, 1966

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia be amended by adding in Chapter 3 of
Title 37 an article numbered 4.1, consisting of sections numbered 37-121.1
through 37-121.3, as follows:

Article 4.1

§ 37-121.1. The superintendent of any State or private hospital,
colony or institution may, subject to the rules and regulations established
by the State Hospital Board, receive and treat therein, as a patient, any
person who is an inebriate and who voluntarily makes written application
therefor, and whose condition is such as to render him competent to make
the application, or understand it if made by another for him, or any person
for whom such application is made by his parent if such person is under
tventy-one years of age and not emancipated, or by his legal guardian,

any. |
§ 87-121.2. A person who is received as a voluntary patient at such
hospital or institution shall not be detained under such voluntary agree-
ment, unless the superintendent or physician in charge of such hospital
or institution, or another responsible person, shall make written complaint
and information before the circuit or corporation judge, or any justice as
defined in §§ 37-1.1, 37-61 and 37-61.2, alleging that such person is an
inebriate and seeking commitment under the provisions of Article I of this
chapter; provided, such person may be detained for twenty-four hours
pending such proceedings. For purposes of applying this article and
Article I of this chapter, jurisdiction for commitment proceedings shall
be determined in the same manner as provided in § 37-128.

§ 37-121.3. Nothing in this article shall be construed to authorize
the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, acting under any provision of Title
46.1, to revoke or suspend the license of any person seeking voluntary
admission to any such hospital or institution, unless such person is actually
committed under the provisions of this article and of Article I of this

pter.