2019 Georgia Code
Title 37 - Mental Health
Chapter 3 - Examination, Treatment, etc., for Mental Illness
Article 6 - Rights and Privileges of Patients, Their Representatives, etc., Generally
Part 2 - Rights and Privileges as to Manner of Care and Treatment and as to Maintenance and Release of Clinical Records
§ 37-3-160. Individual dignity of patients to be respected; treatment of the mentally ill as medical patients; use of criminal facilities and procedures
The patient's dignity as an individual shall be respected at all times and upon all occasions, including any occasion wherein the patient is taken into custody, detained, or transported. Mentally ill patients or those suspected of being mentally ill shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, be treated at all times as medical patients. All patients shall be treated by a physician or psychologist acting within the scope of his or her license. Except where required under conditions of extreme urgency, those procedures, facilities, vehicles, and restraining devices normally utilized for criminals or those accused of crime shall not be used in connection with the mentally ill.
History:Code 1933, § 88-502.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1969, p. 505, § 1; Code 1933, § 88-502.2, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 1789, § 1; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1902, § 12.
