Sec. 572.003. RIGHTS OF PATIENTS

(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 Section 572.005.

(c) A person admitted to an inpatient mental health facility under this chapter shall be informed of the rights provided under this section and Section 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 Section 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 department by rule shall establish the intervals at which a physician shall evaluate a person under this subsection.

Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 903, Sec. 1.02, eff. Aug. 30, 1993; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1000, Sec. 3, eff. June 20, 2003.