[§334-60.1]  Voluntary admission for
nonemergency treatment or supervision.  (a)  Acceptance for voluntary
inpatient treatment at a psychiatric facility shall be in accordance with usual
standards for hospital admissions.



(b)  A facility may admit for evaluation,
diagnosis, or treatment any individual under fifteen years of age for whom
application is made by the individual’s parent or guardian.  If application for
admission is countersigned by a minor aged fifteen through seventeen years
before a family court officer, no hearing shall be necessary.  If the minor
elects not to sign, involuntary hospitalization proceedings shall be initiated.



(c)  A facility shall discharge a voluntary
patient who has sufficiently improved so that hospitalization is no longer
desirable.  A voluntary patient or the patient’s guardian, representative, or
attorney may request discharge in writing at any time following admission to
the facility.  If discharge would be dangerous to the patient or others,
proceedings for involuntary hospitalization must be initiated as soon as
possible but within twenty-four hours of the receipt by the administrator of
the written request for discharge.  If that time expires on a Saturday, Sunday,
or holiday, the time for initiation is extended to the close of the next court
day.  Upon the initiation of the proceedings, the facility is authorized to
detain the patient until further order of the court.  If the patient was
admitted on the patient’s own application and the request for discharge is made
by a person other than the patient, the discharge may be conditioned upon the
agreement of the patient.



(d)  Notice of right to release.  At the time
of the patient’s admission and each six months thereafter, a voluntary patient
and the patient’s guardian or representatives shall be notified in writing of
the patient’s right and how to apply for a discharge. [L 1984, c 188, pt of §3;
gen ch 1985]