41-5-1504. Finding of suffering from mental disorder and meeting other criteria -- rights -- limitation on placement. (1) A youth who is found to be suffering from a mental disorder, as defined in 53-21-102, and who meets the criteria in 53-21-126(1) is entitled to all rights provided by 53-21-114 through 53-21-119.

(2) A youth who, prior to placement or sentencing, is found to be suffering from a mental disorder, as defined in 53-21-102, and who meets the criteria in 53-21-126(1) may not be committed or sentenced to a correctional facility.

(3) (a) A youth who is found to be suffering from a mental disorder, as defined in 53-21-102, and who meets the criteria in 53-21-126(1), after placement in or sentencing to a correctional facility must be moved to a more appropriate placement in response to the youth's mental health needs and consistent with the disposition alternatives available in 53-21-127.

(b) (i) If before removing the youth from the facility the department determines that it will request funds for the youth's placement from the cost containment pool as provided for in 41-5-132, the department may ask the cost containment review panel to make recommendations to the department about the most appropriate placement for the youth. The department shall provide the cost containment review panel with sufficient information about the youth to allow the panel to make its recommendations, and the department shall consider the panel's recommendations before making its placement decision.

(ii) The department may request at any time from the cost containment review panel recommendations regarding the youth's placement.

(iii) The cost containment review panel shall establish protocols for making recommendations to the department under this section.