District of Columbia Code Division II. Judiciary and Judicial Procedure § 16-2321. Disposition of child with mental illness or a substantial intellectual disability.

(a) If no previous examination has been made under section 16-2315 and the Division, after a factfinding but before a dispositional hearing, has reason to believe that a child has a mental illness or a substantial intellectual disability, it may order an examination as provided in section 16-2315.

(b) If as a result of the examination the child is found to have a mental illness or a substantial intellectual disability, the Division may, in lieu of other disposition, direct the appropriate authority to initiate commitment proceedings under Chapter 5 or 11 of Title 21. The Division may order the child detained in suitable facilities pending commitment proceedings.

(c) If the examination does not indicate that commitment proceedings should be initiated or if the proceedings do not result in commitment, the Division shall proceed to disposition pursuant to this subchapter.