27A-15-1.1. Serious emotional disturbance defined.
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/sd/title-27/chapter-27-15/27a-15-1-1·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
For the purposes of this chapter, an individual with a serious emotional disturbance is an individual who:
(1)Is under eighteen years of age;
(2)Exhibits behavior resulting in functional impairment which substantially interferes with, or limits the individual's role or functioning in the community, school, family, or peer group;
(3)Has a mental disorder diagnosed under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, 2013, or coding found in the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, Clinical Modification, 2015;
(4)Has demonstrated a need for one or more special care services, in addition to mental health services; and
(5)Has problems with a demonstrated or expected longevity of at least one year or has an impairment of short duration and high severity.
For purposes of this section, intellectual disability, epilepsy, other developmental disability, alcohol or substance abuse, brief period of intoxication, or criminal or delinquent behavior do not, alone, constitute a serious emotional disturbance.