Sec. 81.187.  RENEWAL OF ORDER FOR EXTENDED MANAGEMENT.  (a)  A municipal, county, or district attorney, as appropriate, at the request of the health authority, shall file an application to renew an order for extended management.  At the request of the department, the attorney general shall file an application to renew an order for extended management.
(b)  The application must explain in detail why the person requests renewal.  An application to renew an order committing the person to extended inpatient services must also explain in detail why a less restrictive setting is not appropriate.
(c)  The application must be accompanied by an affidavit of medical evaluation dated and signed by the health authority or department according to an examination conducted within the preceding 30 days.
(d)  The court shall appoint an attorney to represent the person when an application is filed.
(e)  The person or the person's attorney may request a hearing on the application.  The court may set a hearing on its own motion.  An application for which a hearing is requested or set is considered an original application for a court order for the extended management of a person with a communicable disease.
(f)  A court may not renew an order unless the court finds that the patient meets the criteria for extended management required by this chapter.  The court must make the findings prescribed by this subsection to renew an order, regardless of whether a hearing is requested or set.  A renewed order authorizes treatment for not more than 12 months.
(g)  The court may admit into evidence the affidavit of medical evaluation if a hearing is not requested or set.  The affidavit constitutes competent medical testimony and the court may make its findings solely from the affidavit and the detailed request for renewal.
(h)  The court, after renewing an order for extended inpatient health services, may modify the order to provide for outpatient health services in accordance with this chapter.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 242, Sec. 18, eff. May 23, 1997.