{"data":{"id":"us-ky/krs-645.020","jurisdiction":"us-ky","citation":"KRS 645.020","heading":"Definitions for chapter.","body":"The definitions in KRS Chapter 600 shall apply to this chapter. In addition, unless the\ncontext requires otherwise:\n(1) \"Convalescent leave\" means an authorized release not to exceed ninety (90) days of\na child admitted to a hospital under this chapter;\n(2) \"Danger to self or others\" means that it is shown by substantial proof that in the near\nfuture the child may attempt suicide or may cause substantial physical harm or\nthreat of substantial physical harm to self or others, as evidenced by recent threats\nor overt acts, including acts by which the child deprives self or others of the basic\nmeans of survival, including reasonable shelter, food or clothing. In determining\nwhether a child presents a danger to self, factors to be considered shall include, but\nshall not be limited to, an established pattern of past dangerous behavior;\n(3) \"Hospital\" means a licensed private or public institution, health care facility, or part\nthereof, approved by the cabinet to treat children who are mentally ill;\n(4) \"Least restrictive alternative\" means the treatment and conditions of treatment for a\nchild which, separately and in combination:\n(a) Are no more harsh, hazardous or intrusive than necessary to achieve\nacceptable treatment objectives for the child; and\n(b) Involve no inpatient care restrictions on physical movement except as\nreasonably necessary for the administration of treatment or for the protection\nof the child or others from physical injury.\nIn determining the least restrictive alternative, factors to be considered shall include,\nbut not be limited to, the likelihood, based on the child's prior outpatient treatment,\nthat the child will benefit from outpatient treatment;\n(5) \"Mental health facility\" means a residential or nonresidential service providing\nchildren psychological or psychiatric treatment for emotional, mental, or behavioral\nproblems;\n(6) \"Mental health group home\" means a community -based facility established to serve\nnot less than four (4) nor more than eight (8) mentally ill children with a treatment\nprogram developed and supervised by a qualified mental health professional.\nMental health group homes shall not be adjacent to or part of a residential treatment\nfacility or a hospital;\n(7) \"Mental health professional\" means:\n(a) A physician licensed under  the laws of Kentucky to practice medicine or\nosteopathy, or a medical officer of the government of the United States while\nengaged in conducting mental health services;\n(b) A psychiatrist licensed under the laws of Kentucky to practice medicine or\nosteopathy, or a medical officer of the government of the United States\nengaged in conducting mental health services;\n(c) A psychologist, a psychological practitioner, a certified psychologist, or a\npsychological associate, licensed under the provisions of KRS Chapter 319;\n(d) A registered nurse licensed under the provisions of KRS Chapter 314 engaged\nin providing mental health services;\n(e) A licensed clinical social worker licensed under the provisions of KRS\n335.100, or a certified social worker licensed under the provisions of KRS\n335.080 engaged in providing mental health services;\n(f) A marriage and family therapist licensed under the provisions of KRS 335.300\nto 335.399 engaged in providing mental health services;\n(g) A professional counselor credentialed under the provisions of KRS Chapter\n335.500 to 335.599 engaged in providing mental health services;\n(h) An art therap ist certified under KRS 309.130 engaged in providing mental\nhealth services; or\n(i) A pastoral counselor licensed under the provisions of KRS 335.600 to\n335.699 engaged in providing mental health services; and\n(8) \"Mentally ill child\" means that considerin g the child's age and development, the\nchild has a substantially impaired capacity to use self -control, judgment or\ndiscretion in the conduct of the child's affairs and social relations, the child's\nbehavior is maladaptive or the child exhibits recognized emotional symptoms which\ncan be related to physiological, psychological or social factors.","path":["KRS Chapter 645"],"source_url":"https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=43272","current_through":"Includes enactments through the 2026 Regular Session","vintage":"09/05/2026","retrieved_at":"2026-09-05T21:00:09Z","sha256":"b815615a5f539340f4b3c419e908c15283f1bf1a108f54e23c8576b4bc0412b9","source_id":"us-ky","stale":false,"prev":"us-ky/krs-645.010","next":"us-ky/krs-645.030"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}