Texas Health and Safety Code 572.003 – Rights of Patients
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(a) A person‘s voluntary admission to an inpatient mental health facility under this chapter does not affect the person’s civil rights or legal capacity or affect the person’s right to obtain a writ of habeas corpus.
(b) In addition to the rights provided by this subtitle, a person voluntarily admitted to an inpatient mental health facility under this chapter has the right:
(1) to be reviewed periodically to determine the person’s need for continued inpatient treatment; and
(2) to have an application for court-ordered mental health services filed only as provided by § 572.005.
Terms Used In Texas Health and Safety Code 572.003
- 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.
- Habeas corpus: A writ that is usually used to bring a prisoner before the court to determine the legality of his imprisonment. It may also be used to bring a person in custody before the court to give testimony, or to be prosecuted.
- in writing: includes any representation of words, letters, or figures, whether by writing, printing, or other means. See Texas Government Code 312.011
- Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
- Rule: includes regulation. See Texas Government Code 311.005
- Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.
(c) A person admitted to an inpatient mental health facility under this chapter shall be informed of the rights provided under this section and § 572.004:
(1) orally in simple, nontechnical terms, within 24 hours after the time the person is admitted, and in writing in the person’s primary language, if possible; or
(2) through the use of a means reasonably calculated to communicate with a hearing impaired or visually impaired person, if applicable.
(d) The patient’s parent, managing conservator, or guardian shall also be informed of the patient’s rights as required by this section if the patient is a minor.
(e) In addition to the rights provided by this subtitle, a person voluntarily admitted to an inpatient mental health facility under § 572.002(3)(B) has the right to be evaluated by a physician at regular intervals to determine the person’s need for continued inpatient treatment. The executive commissioner by rule shall establish the intervals at which a physician shall evaluate a person under this subsection.