HB171

HB171, called the Anell Borrego Act, sets a 30-day minimum for several kinds of court-ordered chemical-dependency treatment, while retaining their 90-day maximum and an early-discharge exception. It also changes the medical certificate used in commitment proceedings. The law took effect September 1, 2025, and applies to treatment applications filed on or after that date; earlier applications remain governed by the former law. Final act, Sections 1 and 3–9

The 30-to-90-day range applies to the initial commitment order, renewal orders, treatment used instead of jail or a fine for qualifying Class A or B misdemeanor defendants, and qualifying juvenile-court treatment placements. Before HB171, those provisions stated a maximum of 90 days but no minimum. The law does not require every person with a substance-use problem to undergo treatment, nor does it make 90 days an absolute lifetime limit on orders that may be renewed. Final act, Sections 4–5 and 7 · Chapter 462, including renewal procedures

The minimum is not an unconditional requirement to remain confined for 30 days. A facility administrator may discharge a patient before the order expires when either the administrator or the treating physician determines that the patient no longer meets the criteria for court-ordered treatment. HB171 adds the treating physician as someone who may make that determination; the statutory authority to discharge remains with the administrator. Final act, Section 6

The medical certificate must state the examining physician’s opinion that the person has a chemical dependency and, because of it, is likely to cause serious harm to themselves or others, or meets the specified distress, deterioration and inability-to-make-an-informed-choice criteria. The previous wording asked for opinions about whether the person met those conditions. The law also updates references to the approving agency to the Health and Human Services Commission. Final act, Sections 2–3

Existing safeguards and placement conditions still matter. Ordinarily, a hearing requires certificates from two different examining physicians, with detailed reasons for their opinions. The initial-order and renewal provisions retain the admission-of-allegations or clear-and-convincing-evidence requirements. Qualifying misdemeanor and juvenile placements still require a facility that is available and agrees in writing to admit the person. The statute also retains an outpatient-treatment option on the proposed patient’s request when the judge makes the required best-interest finding. Sections 462.064, 462.069, 462.075 and 462.081