How Long Is Court-Ordered Rehab in Texas?

How Long Does Court-Ordered Rehab Last in Texas?texasrehabs.net

A Texas court order for chemical dependency treatment lasts at least 30 days and no more than 90 days. The 30-day minimum applies to applications filed on or after September 1, 2025, under H.B. 171 (the Anell Borrego Act). The facility can discharge someone earlier if the administrator or treating physician decides they no longer meet the criteria, and an order can be renewed.

Why there's a minimum now

Before H.B. 171, Texas law set only a 90-day maximum, so court-ordered stays could be very short. Lawmakers heard from families of people who cycled in and out of brief placements. The bill as filed proposed a 60-day minimum; the Senate committee version set it at 30, which is what became law. It took effect September 1, 2025.

Early discharge

The minimum isn't a guaranteed stay. The facility administrator may discharge a patient before the order expires if the administrator or the treating physician decides the patient no longer meets the criteria for court-ordered treatment.

Passes and furloughs

The administrator can grant a pass of up to 72 hours, or a longer furlough with conditions, and must notify the court of a furlough. A furlough can be revoked only after an informal administrative hearing within 72 hours of the patient's return.

Renewal

A new application can be filed at least 14 days before the current order expires, with two new physician certificates. It's treated as an original application, with the same notice, hearing and rights, and a renewed order also runs 30 to 90 days.

What 30 to 90 days means clinically

Research summarized by the National Institute on Drug Abuse suggests most people need at least three months in treatment to significantly reduce or stop drug use, with longer stays tied to better outcomes. That is one reason families often plan a step-down after the court period: residential care, then a 90-day program or long-term rehab, then outpatient support.

Each county handles intake a little differently. Find your county's court, the office that helps families file, and nearby detox programs on our court-ordered treatment by county page.

This guide is general information about Texas law, not legal advice. Local court procedures differ; check with your county clerk, the county attorney's office or an attorney before filing.

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How Long Does Court-Ordered Rehab Last in Texas?