53-21-101. Purpose. The purpose of this part is to:
     (1) secure for each person who may be seriously mentally ill or suffering from a mental disorder such care and treatment as will be suited to the needs of the person and to insure that such care and treatment are skillfully and humanely administered with full respect for the person's dignity and personal integrity;
     (2) accomplish this goal whenever possible in a community-based setting;
     (3) accomplish this goal in an institutionalized setting only when less restrictive alternatives are unavailable or inadequate and only when a person is so mentally ill as to require institutionalized care; and
     (4) assure that due process of law is accorded any person coming under the provisions of this part.

     History: En. 38-1301 by Sec. 1, Ch. 466, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 546, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 38-1301.