2013 Maine Revised Statutes
TITLE 34-B: BEHAVIORAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES
Chapter 3: MENTAL HEALTH
34-B §3803. Patient's rights

Subchapter 4: HOSPITALIZATION

3803. Patient's rights

A patient in a psychiatric hospital or residential care facility under this subchapter has the following rights. [2007, c. 319, 5 (AMD).]

1. Civil rights. Every patient is entitled to exercise all civil rights, including, but not limited to, the right to civil service status, the right to vote, rights relating to the granting, renewal, forfeiture or denial of a license, permit, privilege or benefit pursuant to any law, the right to enter into contractual relationships and the right to manage the patient's property, unless:

A. The chief administrative officer of the psychiatric hospital or residential care facility determines that it is necessary for the medical welfare of the patient to impose restrictions on the exercise of these rights and, if restrictions are imposed, the restrictions and the reasons for them must be made a part of the clinical record of the patient; [2007, c. 319, 5 (AMD).]

B. A patient has been adjudicated incompetent and has not been restored to legal capacity; or [1983, c. 459, 7 (NEW).]

C. The exercise of these rights is specifically restricted by other statute or rule, but not solely because of the fact of admission to a psychiatric hospital or residential care facility. [2007, c. 319, 5 (AMD).]

[ 2007, c. 319, 5 (AMD) .]

2. Humane care and treatment. Every patient is entitled to humane care and treatment and, to the extent that facilities, equipment and personnel are available, to medical care and treatment in accordance with the highest standards accepted in medical practice.

[ 1983, c. 459, 7 (NEW) .]

3. Restraints and seclusion. Restraint, including any mechanical means of restricting movement, and seclusion, including isolation by means of doors that cannot be opened by the patient, may not be used on a patient, unless the chief administrative officer of the psychiatric hospital or residential care facility or the chief administrative officer's designee determines that either is required by the medical needs of the patient.

A. The chief administrative officer of the psychiatric hospital or facility shall record and make available for inspection every use of mechanical restraint or seclusion and the reasons for its use. [2007, c. 319, 5 (AMD).]

B. The limitation of the use of seclusion in this section does not apply to maximum security installations. [1983, c. 459, 7 (NEW).]

[ 2007, c. 319, 5 (AMD) .]

4. Communication. Patient communication rights are as follows.

A. Every patient is entitled to communicate by sealed envelopes with the department, a member of the clergy of the patient's choice, the patient's attorney and the court that ordered the patient's hospitalization, if any. [2007, c. 319, 5 (AMD).]

B. Every patient is entitled to communicate by mail in accordance with the rules of the psychiatric hospital. [2007, c. 319, 5 (AMD).]

[ 2007, c. 319, 5 (AMD) .]

5. Visitors. Every patient is entitled to receive visitors unless definitely contraindicated by the patient's medical condition, except that the patient may be visited by a member of the clergy of the patient's choice or the patient's attorney at any reasonable time.

[ 2007, c. 319, 5 (AMD) .]

6. Sterilization. A patient may not be sterilized except in accordance with chapter 7.

[ 1983, c. 459, 7 (NEW) .]

SECTION HISTORY

1983, c. 459, 7 (NEW). 2007, c. 319, 5 (AMD).