PRINTER'S NO. 1114
No. 971 Session of 1983
INTRODUCED BY POTT, McCLATCHY, BURD, KOSINSKI, MILLER, COY,
J. L. WRIGHT, HALUSKA, PHILLIPS, BOOK, BOYES, F. E. TAYLOR,
HERSHEY, NOYE, SIRIANNI AND FATTAH, MAY 10, 1983
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND WELFARE, MAY 10, 1983
AN ACT
1 Amending the act of July 9, 1976 (P.L.817, No.143), entitled "An
2 act relating to mental health procedures; providing for the
3 treatment and rights of mentally disabled persons, for
4 voluntary and involuntary examination and treatment and for
5 determinations affecting those charged with crime or under
6 sentence," extending time for withdrawal from voluntary
7 treatment.
8 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
9 hereby enacts as follows:
10 Section 1. Section 203 of the act of July 9, 1976 (P.L.817,
11 No.143), known as the Mental Health Procedures Act, is amended
12 to read:
13 Section 203. Explanation and Consent.--Before a person is
14 accepted for voluntary inpatient treatment, an explanation shall
15 be made to him of such treatment, including the types of
16 treatment in which he may be involved, and any restraints or
17 restrictions to which he may be subject, together with a
18 statement of his rights under this act. Consent shall be given
19 in writing upon a form adopted by the department. The consent
20 shall include the following representations: That the person
1 understands his treatment will involve inpatient status; that he
2 is willing to be admitted to a designated facility for the
3 purpose of such examination and treatment; and that he consents
4 to such admission voluntarily, without coercion or duress; and,
5 if applicable, that he has voluntarily agreed to remain in
6 treatment for a specified period of no longer than [72 hours] 15
7 days after having given written notice of his intent to withdraw
8 from treatment. The consent shall be part of the person's
9 record.
10 Section 2. Section 206(a) of the act, amended November 26,
11 1978 (P.L.1362, No.324), is amended to read:
12 Section 206. Withdrawal from Voluntary Inpatient
13 Treatment.--(a) A person in voluntary inpatient treatment may
14 withdraw at any time by giving written notice unless, as stated
15 in section 203, he has agreed in writing at the time of his
16 admission that his release can be delayed following such notice
17 for a period to be specified in the agreement, provided that
18 such period shall not exceed [72 hours] 15 days. Any patient
19 converted from involuntary treatment ordered pursuant to either
20 section 304 or 305 to voluntary treatment status shall agree to
21 remain in treatment for [72 hours] 15 days after having given
22 written notice of his intent to withdraw from treatment.
23 * * *
24 Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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