Art. 1439.  Independent examination

A.  The minor respondent or his attorney shall have the right to seek an additional independent medical opinion, when necessary, in their discretion.

B.  If the respondent is indigent, this opinion may be paid for by the MHAS, upon the approval of its executive director.

C.  Reasonable compensation of the appointed examining physicians and all court costs shall be established by the court and ordered paid by the minor respondent or the petitioner in the discretion of the court.  If it is determined by the court that the costs shall not be borne by the minor respondent or the petitioner, then compensation to the physicians and all court costs shall be paid from funds appropriated to the judiciary, but such court costs shall not exceed the sum of seventy-five dollars.

Acts 1991, No. 235, §14, eff. Jan. 1, 1992.