US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

PART III.  EXAMINATION, ADMISSION, COMMITMENT, AND

TREATMENT OF PERSONS SUFFERING FROM MENTAL

ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

§50.  Declaration of policy

The underlying policy of this Chapter is as follows:

(1)  That mentally ill persons and persons suffering from substance abuse be encouraged to seek voluntary treatment.  

(2)  That any involuntary treatment or evaluation be accomplished in a setting which is medically appropriate, most likely to facilitate proper care and treatment that will return the patient to the community as soon as possible, and is the least restrictive of the patient's liberty.  

(3)  That continuity of care for the mentally ill and persons suffering from substance abuse be provided.  

(4)  That mental health and substance abuse treatment services be delivered as near to the place of residence of the person receiving such services as is reasonably possible and medically appropriate.  

(5)  That individual rights of patients be safeguarded.  

(6)  That no person solely as a result of mental illness or alcoholism or incapacitation by alcohol shall be confined in any jail, prison, correctional facility, or criminal detention center.  This shall not apply to persons arrested, charged, or convicted under Title 14 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950.  

(7)  That no person shall be denied treatment solely because he has withdrawn from treatment against medical advice on a prior occasion or because he has relapsed after an earlier treatment.  

Added by Acts 1954, No. 701, §2.  Amended by Acts 1966, No. 482, §1; Acts 1968, No. 238, §1; Acts 1977, No. 714, §1; Acts 1979, No. 767, §1.