Bill of Rights

It is the sense of the Congress that each State should review and revise, if necessary, its laws to ensure that mental health patients receive the protection and services they require; and in making such review and revision should take into account the recommendations of the President’s Commission on Mental Health and the following: A person admitted to a program or facility for the purpose of receiving mental health services should be accorded the following: The right to appropriate treatment and related services in a setting and under conditions that— The right to ongoing participation, in a manner appropriate to such person’s capabilities, in the planning of mental health services to be provided such person (including the right to participate in the development and periodic revision of the plan described in subparagraph (B)), and, in connection with such participation, the right to be provided with a reasonable explanation, in terms and language appropriate to such person’s condition and ability to understand, of— The right not to receive a mode or course of treatment, established pursuant to the treatment plan, in the absence of such person’s informed, voluntary, written consent to such mode or course of treatment, except treatment— The right to access, upon request, to such person’s mental health care records, except such person may be refused access to— Notwithstanding subparagraph (J), the right of access to (including the opportunities and facilities for private communication with) any available— Nothing in this section should— In order to assist a person admitted to a program or facility in the exercise or protection of such person’s rights, such person’s attorney or legal representatives should have reasonable access to—