Voluntary admission and discharge

A. The department is encouraged to admit persons with developmental disabilities to developmental disabilities services on a voluntary basis. Neither the department nor any employee or agent of a provider of developmental disabilities services shall prohibit a person with a developmental disability from applying for conversion of an involuntary commitment to a voluntary admission. B. A person voluntarily admitted into a residential facility who makes a written request for discharge shall be released within seventy-two hours from the time of the written request excluding weekends and holidays unless a petition alleging that the person is either dangerous to himself or dangerous to others is filed with the district court of the parish where the person is located. Upon a showing of probable cause that the person meets this standard, the court may order his confinement until the commitment hearing. C. Persons who are able to be discharged from developmental disabilities services and who were admitted on a voluntary basis shall be discharged in accordance with the procedures established by the office by rules promulgated in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, consistent with the requirements of this Chapter. The office shall include in the rules, procedures for processing requests for discharge of persons who are voluntarily admitted as well as for addressing oppositions to discharge. D. Upon determination that any person receiving services from the office is either dangerous to himself or dangerous to others, the office will take steps, including involuntary commitment when appropriate, to protect the person or prevent him from harming others. E. The office shall have the authority to discharge a person who was voluntarily admitted and who for a reasonable period of time has not received developmental disabilities services.