Rhode Island General Laws 40.1-5-24. Rights and powers of mental health advocate
The mental health advocate shall have the following rights and powers:
(1) To communicate privately by mail or orally with any person in treatment.
(2) To inspect all records relating to persons in treatment provided that the person in treatment or his or her guardian gives written permission.
(3) To take whatever steps are appropriate to see that persons are made aware of the services of the mental health advocate’s office, its purpose, and how it can be contacted. Officials in charge of each facility shall cooperate with the mental health advocate in this respect.
(4) To take such actions that he or she deems appropriate to protect the rights of those criminally insane patients included within the forensic unit of the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals and those previously considered to be within the authority of the interstate compact on the mentally disordered offender.
(5) To take necessary action to protect the rights of clients of community mental health centers.
(6) To provide legal representation for indigent persons receiving inpatient treatment for substance abuse.
History of Section.
P.L. 1974, ch. 119, § 1; P.L. 1980, ch. 341, § 2; P.L. 1986, ch. 185, § 1; P.L. 1987, ch. 470, § 1.
Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 40.1-5-24
- Department: means the state department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals. See Rhode Island General Laws 40.1-5-2
- Facility: means , but is not limited to, any public or private hospital licensed by the Rhode Island department of health that maintains staff and facilities, including inpatient units, for the care and treatment of persons with psychiatric illness, psychiatric disorders, and/or psychiatric disabilities; and/or a community mental health center as defined in Rhode Island General Laws 40.1-5-2
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6