Art. 655. Application for discharge or release on probation; review panel

            A.(1) When the superintendent of a mental institution is of the opinion that a person committed pursuant to Article 654 can be discharged or can be released on probation, without danger to others or to himself, he shall recommend the discharge or release of the person in a report to a review panel comprised of the person's treating physician, the clinical director of the facility to which the person is committed, and a physician, medical psychologist, or psychologist who served on the sanity commission which recommended commitment of the person. If any member of the panel is unable to serve, a physician, medical psychologist, or a psychologist engaged in the practice of clinical or counseling psychology with at least three years' experience in the field of mental health shall be appointed by the remaining members.

            (2) The panel shall review all reports received promptly. After review, the panel shall make a recommendation to the court by which the person was committed as to the person's mental condition and whether he can be discharged, conditionally or unconditionally, or placed on probation, without being a danger to others or himself. If the review panel recommends to the court that the person be discharged, conditionally or unconditionally, or placed on probation, the court shall conduct a contradictory hearing following notice to the district attorney.

            (3) A recommendation that the person be discharged or released on probation shall require a unanimous vote of the panel.

            (4) The panel shall render specific findings of fact in support of its recommendation.

            B. A person committed pursuant to Article 654 may make application to the review panel for discharge or for release on probation. Such application by a committed person may not be filed until the committed person has been confined for a period of at least six months after the original commitment. If the review panel recommends to the court that the person be discharged, conditionally or unconditionally, or placed on probation, the court shall conduct a hearing following notice to the district attorney. If the recommendation of the review panel or the court is adverse, the applicant shall not be permitted to file another application until one year has elapsed from the date of determination.

            C. The superintendent of the mental institution shall, under both Paragraphs A and B of this Article, transmit a copy of this report and recommendation to the person committed or his attorney and to the district attorney of the parish from which the person was committed.

            Acts 1985, No. 925, §1; Acts 1987, No. 928, §1, eff. July 20, 1987; Acts 2018, No. 532, §1.