67 S T A T. ]
PUBLIC LAW 76-JtJNE 24, 1953
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ing and within fifteen days after the date on which the second report is filed pursuant to section 6 of this Act, a jury is demanded by the patient or by the United States Attorney. The patient may, after appointment or employment of counsel, waive a hearing and be committed directly to a hospital designated by the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, or their designated agent. The rules of evidence applicable in judicial proceedings in the court are applicable to hearings pursuant to this section, including the right of the patient to present evidence in his own behalf and to subpena and cross-examine witnesses. CONFINEMENT OF PATIENT
SEC. 9. If the court finds the patient to be a drug user, it may commit him to a hospital designated by the patient or the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, or their designated agent, and approved by the court, to be confined there for rehabilitation until released in accordance with section 10 of this Act. The head of the hospital shall submit written reports, within such periods as the court may direct, but no longer than six months after the commitment and for successive intervals of time thereafter, and state reasons why the patient has not been released.
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RELEASE o r PATIENT
SEC. 10. (a) When the head of the hospital to which the patient is committed finds that the patient appears to be no longer in need of rehabilitation, or has received maximum benefits, they shall give notice to the judge of the committing court, and the said patient shall be delivered to the said court, for such further action as the court may deem necessary and proper under the provisions of this Act. (b) The court, upon petition of the patient after confinement for one year, shall inquire into the refusal or failure of the head of the hospital C release him. If the court finds that the patient is no longer O in need of care, treatment, guidance, or rehabilitation, or has received maximum benefits, it shall order the patient released, in accordance with the provisions of section 11 of this Act.
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PERIODIC EXAMINATION OF RELEASED PATIENTS
SEC. 11. For the two years after his release, the paj:ient shall report to the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, or their designated agent, at such times and places as those officers, or officer, require, but not more frequently than once each month, for a physical examination to determine whether the patient has again become a drug user. If the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, or their designated agent, determine that the person examined is a drug user, they shall so notify the United States attorney for the District of Columbia who may then file a statement under section 3 of this Act with respect to the person examined. PATIENT Nm- DEEMED A CRIMINAL
SEC. 12. The patient in any proceeding under this Act shall not be deemed a criminal and the commitment of any such patient shall not be deemed a conviction. SEC. 13. This Act shall become effective six months after the date of its approval. Approved June 24, 1953.
Effective date,
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