PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 108-450.
Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Dec 10, 2004
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on October 6, 2004. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
District of Columbia Mental Health Civil Commitment Modernization Act of 2004 - (Sec. 2) Amends the District of Columbia Code to modify the composition of, appointment to, and organization of the Commission on Mental Health.
(Sec. 3) Limits to Commission members who are psychiatrists or qualified psychologists (currently, the Commission or any of its members) the competency to be witnesses at any mental health proceeding.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
(Sec. 4) Authorizes Superior Court extension for up to 21 days, under certain conditions, of the period for which an individual may be detained for emergency observation and diagnosis in a facility, hospital, or mental health provider.
(Sec. 5) Authorizes the Commission to grant a continuance of up to 14 days beyond the current allowed recess of five days for the counsel of persons alleged to be mentally ill to prepare a case. Requires extension of the emergency observation and detention period for the subject of the hearing for the duration of the continuance.
(Sec. 6) Revises procedures on hearings and determination of mental illness. Limits to the least restrictive alternative the kind of facility to which a Court may order a person's commitment, consistent with the best interests of the person and the public.
(Sec. 7) Authorizes a one-year renewal of commitment status by the Commission, subject to judicial review, of a person in a facility, hospital, or mental health provider.
People & committees
Rep. Davis, Tom [R-VA-11] · R–VA
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 108-450.
Became Public Law No: 108-450.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S11697)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S11697)
Received in the Senate, read twice.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H8257-8258)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H8257-8258)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4302.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8257-8259)
Mr. Davis, Tom moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Reported by the Committee on Government Reform. H. Rept. 108-729.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 449.
Reported by the Committee on Government Reform. H. Rept. 108-729.
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.4302 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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