§2452 Medical assessment and treatment of juvenile offenders

Summary

Each Memorandum of Agreement must set up a way for every Bureau of Indian Affairs office and Indian Health Service unit to give urgent medical checks and care to any Indian youth arrested or held by BIA or tribal police for alcohol- or drug-related offenses. The medical check must find out how the youth is doing mentally and physically so steps can be taken to protect their health. It must happen right away after the arrest or detention. The Indian Health Service must provide the check and care, either directly or through its contractors. The IHS cannot refuse needed short-term treatment for a youth sent under that procedure just because the youth is charged or being prosecuted, unless a court forbids the referral or finds the youth to be a danger to others.