Connecticut Law About Rights of Mental Health Consumers

Connecticut Law About Commitment (Voluntary/Involuntary)
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Research Guides

Connecticut General Statutes

State of Connecticut Judicial Branch:

OLR Research Reports - Office of Legislative Research:

Concise Summary of Civil Commitment Laws 2013-R-0087
You asked for a concise summary of the civil commitment law.
Civil Commitment of Children 2013-R-0102
You asked for a concise summary of the law governing the civil commitment of mentally ill children.
Updated Report: Involuntary Outpatient Mental Health Treatment Laws 2013-R-0105
You asked for an update of OLR Report 2011-R-0438, which described involuntary outpatient mental health treatment laws in other states. You want to know how often the states with such laws have invoked them. Finally, you requested information on recent legislative changes to New York's outpatient commitment law.
Duty of Mental Health Professionals to Warn of Potentially Violent Conduct by Patients 2013-R-0089
You asked us to update OLR report 2010-R-0024 on the duty of mental health professionals to warn of potentially violent conduct by patients. This report also addresses a related common law concept, the duty to control, as it applies in such cases.
Involuntary Civil Commitment and Patients' Rights 2013-R-0041
This report provides a summary of the law on involuntary civil commitment of people age 16 and over with mental illness, updating OLR Report 2002-R-0848. This report also briefly describes the rights of patients who are receiving psychiatric care.
Shock Therapy Statute 2012-R-0467
You asked for a summary and history of the statute addressing informed consent for shock therapy (CGS § 17a-543(c)).
Commitment For Substance Abuse Disorders 2012-R-0217
You asked about the process in Connecticut for commitment of individuals with a substance abuse disorder (e.g., a drug addiction).
Whiting Forensic 2000-R-0704
You asked what Whiting Forensic Institute is, who gets sent there and what the standards for admission are....

Useful Websites

Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services:

Your Rights as a Client or Patient

Infoline eLibrary:

Involuntary Admission - Connecticut

Office of Protection & Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities

Your Rights in a Psychiatric Facility

Protection and Advocacy for People with Mental Illness

PAIMI Information Tri-fold Brochure

Library Materials

Connecticut Estates Practice: Incapacity, Powers of Attorney and Adoption in Connecticut 3d Edition., by Ralph H. Folsom & Gayle B. Wilhelm

Chapter 1 Commitments and Placements

Probate Court Locations

Probate Court Directory

Selected Statutes:

Chapter 319i Persons with Psychiatric Disabilities

Part II - Commitment. General Provisions:

Sec.17a-497 Commitment Jurisdiction. Application
Sec.17a-498 Civil Commitment
Sec.17a-502 Emergency Certification
Sec.17a-503 Detention by Police Officer Prior to Commitment
Sec.17a-506 Voluntary Admission
Sec.17a-510 Release or Transfer: Procedure

Part III - Patients' Rights

Sec.17a-540 Definitions
Sec.17a-541 Deprivation of Rights of Patient Prohibited. Exception.
Sec.17a-542 Humane and Dignified Treatment Required. Formulation of Discharge Plan.
Sec.17a-543 Procedures Governing Medication, Treatment, Psychosurgery and Shock Therapy
Sec.17a-544 Placement of Patient in Seclusion or Mechanical Restraint.
Sec.17a-545 Physical and Psychiatric Examinations
Sec.17a-546 Communication by Mail and Telephone
Sec.17a-547 Visitors. Restrictions on Mail, Telephone, and Visitor Privileges, When Allowed.
Sec.17a-548 Patient’s Rights re Clothing, Possessions, Money and Access to Records
Sec.17a-550 Remedies of Aggrieved Persons.

Part IV - Whiting Forensic Division

Sec.17a-560 Definitions
Sec. 17a-561 Persons to be Treated at Whiting Forensic Division

Part V - Psychiatric Review Board

Sec.17a-583 Initial Hearing by Board After Commitment
Sec.17a-585 Periodic Review by Board

Click on the link below to search the full-text of the statutes: http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch_pub_statutes.html

Official Connecticut Probate Court Forms

Listing of Official Probate Court Forms

Application for Involuntary Commitment For Person With Psychiatric Disabilities PC-801

Probable Cause Hearing Request PC-802

Application for Involuntary Commitment/Alcohol and/or Drug Dependency PC-803

Connecticut Law by Subject