MAINE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TITLE 34-B: MENTAL HEALTH, MENTAL RETARDATION AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES (HEADING: PL 1995, c. 560, Pt. K, @7 (rpr)) * CHAPTER 3: MENTAL HEALTH o SUBCHAPTER IV: HOSPITALIZATION + Article I: GENERAL PROVISIONS + § 3803. Patient's rights ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [§ 3802. Commissioner's powers][§ 3804. Habeas corpus] [Download the chapter text as an MS-Word 6 document.] § 3803. Patient's rights A patient in a hospital or residential care facility under this subchapter has the following rights. [1983, c. 459, § 7(new).] 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 his property, unless: A. The chief administrative officer of the 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 shall be made a part of the clinical record of the patient; [1983, c. 459, § 7(new).] 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 hospital or residential care facility. [1983, c. 459, § 7(new).] [1983, c. 459, § 7(new).] 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 which cannot be opened by the patient, may not be used on a patient, unless the chief administrative officer of the hospital or residential care facility or his designee determines that either is required by the medical needs of the patient. A. The chief administrative officer of the hospital or facility shall record and make available for inspection every use of mechanical restraint or seclusion and the reasons for its use. [1983, c. 459, § 7(new).] B. The limitation of the use of seclusion in this section does not apply to maximum security installations. [1983, c. 459, § 7(new).] [1983, c. 459, § 7(new).] 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 his choice, his attorney and the court which ordered his hospitalization, if any. [1983, c. 459, § 7(new).] B. Every patient is entitled to communicate by mail in accordance with the rules of the hospital. [1983, c. 459, § 7(new).] [1983, c. 459, § 7(new).] 5. Visitors. Every patient is entitled to receive visitors unless definitely contraindicated by his medical condition, except that he may be visited by a member of the clergy of his choice or his attorney at any reasonable time. [1983, c. 459, § 7(new).] 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). [§ 3802. Commissioner's powers][§ 3804. Habeas corpus] [Top of the Page] Statute SearchList of Titles Maine Law Revisor of Statutes Homepage Maine Legislature ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Office of the Revisor of Statutes 7 State House Station State House Room 108 Augusta, Maine 04333-0007 Voice: (207) 287-1650 Fax: (207) 287-6468 Disclaimer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------