36-519. Discharge of voluntary patients
A. The medical director of the agency shall discharge any patient admitted
voluntarily who has recovered or who is no longer benefiting from the evaluation, care or
treatment available, except as provided in subsection B of this section.
B. Upon written request by a patient admitted pursuant to section 36-518,
subsection A or by the parent, guardian or custodian of a patient admitted pursuant to
section 36-518, subsection C, the patient shall be given a discharge within twenty-four
hours after the request, excluding weekends or holidays unless the medical director of
the agency has proceeded pursuant to section 36-531, subsections B and C and section
36-533. The costs of such proceedings shall be a charge against the county of the
patient's residence.
C. If the medical director of the agency finds that a patient admitted voluntarily
is gravely disabled and requires the service of a guardian or conservator or both for the
protection of health and property, he shall proceed pursuant to section 36-531,
subsections B and C and section 36-533 unless it is appropriate to discharge the patient
to suitable alternative arrangements for care, treatment and protection.
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