Issue Briefs Subject(s): Health Care & Health Insurance Public Health Published: October 2, 2017 Agency: Legislative Council Staff This issue brief addresses the state’s emergency mental health hold procedure, which allows for a person to be involuntarily held for a 72-hour period of treatment and evaluation if he or she appears to have a mental illness and, due to the mental illness, appears to be an imminent danger to self or others, or appears to be gravely disabled. The brief also discusses short-term and long-term treatment following a mental health hold. Download Document