Mental Health Law Final Exam Questions
With Solved Solutions.
Define "Mental Health Law" - Answer The body of laws and regulations governing issues related to
mental health and the provision of mental health services in a particular jurisdiction.
3 Sources of Mental Health Law in Colorado - Answer 1. Constitutions (the United States and Colorado)
2. Statutes (state and federal)
3. Case law
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 27-65-105 - Answer allows invocation of emergency procedures to place a person in
custody when any person appears to be mentally ill and, as a result of such mental illness, appears to be
an imminent danger to other or to himself or herself
How long can a person be held under a § 27-65-105 hold? - Answer 72 hours (3 days)
Define "gravely disabled" - Answer a condition in which a person, as result of a mental health disorder,
is incapable of making informed decisions about or providing for his or her essential needs without
significant supervision and assistance from other people. As a result of being incapable of making these
informed decisions, a person who is gravely disabled is a risk of substantial bodily harm, dangerous
worsening of any concomitant serious physical illness, significant psychiatric deterioration, or
mismanagement of his or her essential needs that could result in substantial bodily harm. A person of
any age may be "gravely disabled", but such term does not include a person whose decision-making
capabilities are limited solely by his or her developmental disability.
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 27-65-116(1)(a) - Answer Clients in a treatment facility are entitled to receive
treatment suited to meet their individual needs, delivered in such a way as to keep them in the least
restrictive environment.
Standard in Colorado for "duty to warn" - Answer the client has communicated to the mental health
care provider a serious threat of imminent physical violence against a specific person or persons
, The duty to warn may be discharged by these actions. - Answer 1. Making reasonable and timely
efforts to notify the person(s) threatened
2. Making reasonable and timely efforts to notify the person)s) responsible for a specific location or
entity
3. Making reasonable and timely efforts to notify the appropriate law enforcement
4. Other appropriate action
5. Hospitalization
Based on Colorado statute related to prohibited activities, what are some grounds for disciplinary action
in Colorado? - Answer 1. False advertising
2. A practice-related felony conviction
3. Abuse of health insurance
4. Practicing outside your expertise
5. Maintaining relationships with clients likely to impair professional judgment or increase the risk of
client exploitation, or exercising undue influence on the client
6. Failing to terminate if the client is not benefiting from therapy
7. Habitually or excessively using or abuses alcohol, a habit-forming drug, or a controlled substance
What is Colo. Rev. Stat. § 12-245-224? - Answer Prohibited Activities
Within the federal system, which circuit does Colorado sit in? - Answer Colorado sits in the 10th Circuit
Cases in which issues of Colorado law are decided by the Colorado Supreme Court are binding on... -
Answer Lower courts in Colorado only
What is the "holding" of a case? - Answer The holding of a case is the legal principle for which the case
stands; the holding is NOT the procedural outcome of the case (e.g., "reversed and remanded" or
"affirmed"). Th holding is the principle of law for which this case would be cited as precedent by
subsequent courts.
Black Letter Law - Answer Black Letter Law refers to the basic standard elements or principles of law,
which are generally known and free from doubt or dispute.
With Solved Solutions.
Define "Mental Health Law" - Answer The body of laws and regulations governing issues related to
mental health and the provision of mental health services in a particular jurisdiction.
3 Sources of Mental Health Law in Colorado - Answer 1. Constitutions (the United States and Colorado)
2. Statutes (state and federal)
3. Case law
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 27-65-105 - Answer allows invocation of emergency procedures to place a person in
custody when any person appears to be mentally ill and, as a result of such mental illness, appears to be
an imminent danger to other or to himself or herself
How long can a person be held under a § 27-65-105 hold? - Answer 72 hours (3 days)
Define "gravely disabled" - Answer a condition in which a person, as result of a mental health disorder,
is incapable of making informed decisions about or providing for his or her essential needs without
significant supervision and assistance from other people. As a result of being incapable of making these
informed decisions, a person who is gravely disabled is a risk of substantial bodily harm, dangerous
worsening of any concomitant serious physical illness, significant psychiatric deterioration, or
mismanagement of his or her essential needs that could result in substantial bodily harm. A person of
any age may be "gravely disabled", but such term does not include a person whose decision-making
capabilities are limited solely by his or her developmental disability.
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 27-65-116(1)(a) - Answer Clients in a treatment facility are entitled to receive
treatment suited to meet their individual needs, delivered in such a way as to keep them in the least
restrictive environment.
Standard in Colorado for "duty to warn" - Answer the client has communicated to the mental health
care provider a serious threat of imminent physical violence against a specific person or persons
, The duty to warn may be discharged by these actions. - Answer 1. Making reasonable and timely
efforts to notify the person(s) threatened
2. Making reasonable and timely efforts to notify the person)s) responsible for a specific location or
entity
3. Making reasonable and timely efforts to notify the appropriate law enforcement
4. Other appropriate action
5. Hospitalization
Based on Colorado statute related to prohibited activities, what are some grounds for disciplinary action
in Colorado? - Answer 1. False advertising
2. A practice-related felony conviction
3. Abuse of health insurance
4. Practicing outside your expertise
5. Maintaining relationships with clients likely to impair professional judgment or increase the risk of
client exploitation, or exercising undue influence on the client
6. Failing to terminate if the client is not benefiting from therapy
7. Habitually or excessively using or abuses alcohol, a habit-forming drug, or a controlled substance
What is Colo. Rev. Stat. § 12-245-224? - Answer Prohibited Activities
Within the federal system, which circuit does Colorado sit in? - Answer Colorado sits in the 10th Circuit
Cases in which issues of Colorado law are decided by the Colorado Supreme Court are binding on... -
Answer Lower courts in Colorado only
What is the "holding" of a case? - Answer The holding of a case is the legal principle for which the case
stands; the holding is NOT the procedural outcome of the case (e.g., "reversed and remanded" or
"affirmed"). Th holding is the principle of law for which this case would be cited as precedent by
subsequent courts.
Black Letter Law - Answer Black Letter Law refers to the basic standard elements or principles of law,
which are generally known and free from doubt or dispute.
