41-5-1503. Medical or psychological evaluation of youth. (1) The youth court may order a youth to receive a medical or psychological evaluation at any time prior to final disposition if the youth waives the youth's constitutional rights in the manner provided for in 41-5-331. The county determined by the court as the residence of the youth is responsible for the cost of the evaluation, except as provided in subsection (2). A county may contract with the department or other public or private agencies to obtain evaluation services ordered by the court.
     (2) The youth court shall determine the financial ability of the youth's parents or guardians to pay the cost of an evaluation ordered by the court under subsection (1). If they are financially able, the court shall order the youth's parents or guardians to pay all or part of the cost of the evaluation.
     (3) Subject to 41-5-1512(15)(a), the youth court may not order an evaluation or placement of a youth at a state youth correctional facility unless the youth is found to be a delinquent youth or is alleged to have committed an offense that is listed under 41-5-206.
     (4) An evaluation of a youth may not be performed at the Montana state hospital unless the youth is transferred to the district court under 41-5-208 or 41-5-1605 or the jurisdiction of the youth court is terminated following the filing of an information in district court pursuant to 41-5-206.

     History: En. Sec. 39, Ch. 550, L. 1997.