HARRY HUGHES, Governor

3169

CHAPTER 695

(House Bill 1314)

AN ACT concerning

Rights of Mentally Ill Individuals in Facilities

FOR the purpose of providing that one of the circumstances under
which restraints or locked door seclusions may be used in a
mental health facility is to prevent a serious disruption in
the therapeutic environment; repealing the provision
permitting a physician to order restraints or locked door
seclusions as part of a mode or course of treatment; and
generally relating to the use of restraints or locked door
seclusions in a mental health facility only under certain
circumstances.

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,

Article - Health - General
Section 10-701(a)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1982 Volume and 1984 Supplement)

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article - Health - General
Section 10-701(c)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1982 Volume and 1984 Supplement)

Preamble

WHEREAS, It is the policy of this State, to the best of     its

ability, to foster and preserve the mental health of     its

citizens; and to that end, to provide without partiality care   and
treatment to citizens who have mental disorders; and

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this State to meet the highest
standards for the care and treatment of citizens with mental
disorders; and

WHEREAS, The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals
has set professional standards for quality of care in mental
health facilities; and

WHEREAS, The policy for restraint and seclusion of
individuals in mental health facilities should be consistent with
the standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of
Hospitals; now, therefore,