KRS 441.047: Psychiatric and similar services for criminal defendants.

(1) Whenever a prisoner confined in the county jail is in need of psychiatric or similar

evaluation, treatment, or services, it shall be the responsibility of the

Commonwealth to provide such evaluation, treatment, or services at the expense of

the Commonwealth at the nearest state -operated or state-supported facility suitable

for the provision of the required evaluation, treatment, or services at no cost to the

county.

(2) Whenever a criminal defendant is in need of psychiatric, sociological, or similar

evaluation in connection with the criminal proceedings in which he is a defendant it

shall be the responsibility of the Commonwealth to provide the evaluation at the

nearest state -operated or state -supported facility suitable for the provision of the

required evaluation at no cost to the county.

(3) In the event that no suitable state -operated or state -supported facility is located

within a reasonable distance, then the evaluation may be made at a suitable local

facility or at the jail. In such instances a reques t must first be made to the Cabinet

for Health and Family Services to provide the evaluation, treatment, or service

unless the situation is an emergency requiring immediate attention. If the cabinet

cannot provide the service or if the situation is an emer gency, then local resources

may be utilized.

(4) In the event that local resources are utilized in an emergency situation, or when the

Cabinet for Health and Family Services is unable to provide the evaluation,

treatment, or service, then the reasonable co st of providing such service, treatment,

or evaluation shall be paid from the State Treasury in the same manner as other

medical expenses of indigent prisoners confined in the county jail.

(5) The Cabinet for Health and Family Services shall administer the provisions of this

section and shall issue such administrative regulations as necessary to carry out the

provisions of this section.