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H.B. 194 Enrolled

             1     

INVOLUNTARY FEEDING AND HYDRATION OF INMATES

             2     
2012 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Derek E. Brown

             5     
Senate Sponsor: J. Stuart Adams

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies the Code of Criminal Procedure by authorizing correctional facilities
             10      to involuntarily feed and hydrate prisoners who refuse sustenance and to petition the
             11      court to order involuntary feeding or hydrating of prisoners.
             12      Highlighted Provisions:
             13          This bill:
             14          .    authorizes the correctional facility administrator to petition the court for an order to
             15      administer food or fluids to a prisoner by involuntary means;
             16          .    provides that the court shall hold a hearing within two business days of receiving a
             17      petition from a correctional facility administrator to administer food or fluids to a
             18      prisoner by involuntary means;
             19          .    provides that the prisoner has the right to attend the hearing, testify before the court,
             20      present evidence, and cross-examine witnesses;
             21          .    requires that any involuntary feeding or hydration by the correctional facility be
             22      conducted under medical supervision and in a reasonable manner; and
             23          .    provides exceptions to the provisions of this bill for medically imposed fasts or
             24      religious fasts of reasonable duration.
             25      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             26          None
             27      Other Special Clauses:
             28          None
             29      Utah Code Sections Affected:


             30      ENACTS:
             31          77-16b-101, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             32          77-16b-102, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             33          77-16b-103, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             34          77-16b-104, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             35          77-16b-105, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             36     
             37      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             38          Section 1. Section 77-16b-101 is enacted to read:
             39     
CHAPTER 16b. INVOLUNTARY FEEDING AND HYDRATION OF INMATES

             40          77-16b-101. Title.
             41          This chapter is known as the "Involuntary Feeding and Hydration of Inmates."
             42          Section 2. Section 77-16b-102 is enacted to read:
             43          77-16b-102. Definitions.
             44          As used in this chapter:
             45          (1) "Correctional facility" means a county jail or secure correctional facility as defined
             46      by Section 64-13-1 .
             47          (2) "Correctional facility administrator" means a county sheriff in charge of a county
             48      jail or a designee of the executive director of the Utah Department of Corrections.
             49          (3) "Medical supervision" means under the direction of a licensed physician, physician
             50      assistant, or nurse practitioner.
             51          (4) "Mental health therapist" has the same definition as in Section 58-60-102 .
             52          (5) "Prisoner" means any person who is a pretrial detainee or has been committed to
             53      the custody of a sheriff or the Utah Department of Corrections, and who is physically in a
             54      correctional facility.
             55          Section 3. Section 77-16b-103 is enacted to read:
             56          77-16b-103. Involuntary feeding or hydration of prisoners -- Petition procedures,
             57      venue -- Prisoner rights.


             58          (1) A correctional facility administrator may petition the district court where the
             59      correctional facility is located for an order permitting the involuntary feeding or hydration of
             60      any prisoner who is likely to suffer severe harm or death by refusing to accept sufficient
             61      nutrition or hydration.
             62          (2) Prior to the filing of a petition under this section, a mental health therapist who is
             63      designated by the correctional facility administrator shall conduct a mental health evaluation of
             64      the subject prisoner.
             65          (3) Upon the filing of a petition, the district court shall hold a hearing within two
             66      working days. The court:
             67          (a) shall confidentially review the prisoner's medical and mental health records as they
             68      are available;
             69          (b) may hear testimony or receive evidence, subject to the Utah Rules of Evidence,
             70      concerning the circumstances of the prisoner's lack of nutrition or hydration; and
             71          (c) may exclude from the hearing any person whose presence is not necessary for the
             72      purposes of the hearing, due to the introduction of personal medical and mental health
             73      evidence.
             74          (4) After conducting the hearing under Subsection (3), the district court shall issue an
             75      order to involuntarily feed or hydrate the prisoner, if the court finds by a preponderance of
             76      evidence that:
             77          (a) (i) the prisoner is likely to suffer severe harm or death by refusing to accept
             78      sufficient nutrition or hydration; and
             79          (ii) the correctional facility's medical or penological objectives are valid and outweigh
             80      the prisoner's right to refuse treatment; or
             81          (b) the prisoner is refusing sufficient nutrition or hydration with the intent to obstruct
             82      or delay any judicial or administrative proceeding pending against the prisoner.
             83          (5) The district court shall state its findings of fact and conclusions of law on the
             84      record.
             85          (6) The correctional facility administrator shall serve copies of the petition and a notice


             86      of the district court hearing on the prisoner and the prisoner's counsel, if the prisoner is
             87      represented by counsel, at least 24 hours in advance of the hearing under Subsection (3).
             88          (7) The prisoner has the right to attend the hearing, testify, present evidence, and
             89      cross-examine witnesses.
             90          Section 4. Section 77-16b-104 is enacted to read:
             91          77-16b-104. Involuntary feeding or hydration of prisoners -- Standards,
             92      continuing jurisdiction, and records.
             93          (1) Any involuntary nutrition or hydration of a prisoner pursuant to this chapter shall
             94      be conducted under immediate medical supervision and in a medically recognized and
             95      acceptable manner.
             96          (2) Upon the filing of a petition pursuant to Section 77-16b-102 , the court has the
             97      continuing jurisdiction to review the prisoner's need for involuntary nutrition or hydration as
             98      long as the prisoner remains in custody of the correctional facility.
             99          (3) A correctional facility shall maintain records of any involuntary feeding or
             100      hydration of prisoners under this chapter.
             101          (a) The records are classified as "controlled" under Section 63G-2-304 .
             102          (b) All medical or mental health records submitted to the court under this chapter shall
             103      be kept under seal.
             104          Section 5. Section 77-16b-105 is enacted to read:
             105          77-16b-105. Involuntary feeding or hydration of prisoners -- Exceptions.
             106          This chapter does not apply to medically imposed fasts for the purpose of conducting
             107      medical procedures or tests, or to religious fasts of reasonable duration.


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