The Marchman Act, officially the "Hal S. Marchman Alcohol and Other Drug Services Act of 1993", is a Florida law that provides a means of involuntary and voluntary assessment and stabilization and treatment of a person allegedly abusing alcohol or drugs.
The involuntary assessment and treatment has two categories: court and non-court involved admissions.
It is under Title XXIX - PUBLIC HEALTH Chapter 397 -SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES of the Florida Statutes.
The court can order involuntary treatment at a licensed service provider for a period not to exceed 60 days ⁃ The process can be slowed by external factors including but not limited to: utilization of the wrong forms, improper execution of forms, failure of the sheriff to serve the respondent, the Clerk of the Court's business schedule, Judicial schedule, and available hearing dates.
As of July 1, 2017 Florida Statute 397.6760 became effective making all petitions for involuntary assessment and stabilization, court orders, and related records that are filed with or by a court under 397 confidential and exempt from s. 119.071(1) and s. 24(a), Art.