Art. 1402.  Declaration of policy

The underlying policy of this Title is as follows:

(1)  That minors with mental illness and minors suffering from substance abuse, and their caretakers on their behalf, be encouraged to seek voluntary treatment.

(2)  That any involuntary treatment or evaluation be accomplished in a setting which is medically appropriate, most likely to facilitate proper care and treatment that will return the minor patient to the community as soon as possible, and is the least restrictive of the minor's liberty.

(3)  That continuity of care for persons with mental illness and minors suffering from substance abuse be provided.

(4)  That mental health and substance abuse treatment services be delivered as near to the place of residence of the minor receiving such services as is reasonably possible and medically appropriate.

(5)  That individual rights of minor patients be safeguarded.

(6)  That no minor solely as a result of mental illness or alcoholism or incapacitation by alcohol shall be confined in any jail, prison, correctional facility, or juvenile detention center.

(7)  That no minor shall be denied treatment solely because he has withdrawn from treatment against medical advice on a prior occasion or because he has relapsed after an earlier treatment.

(8)  That minors be protected from unnecessary institutionalization and be afforded proper treatment for their special mental health needs.

(9)  That, in view of the liberty interest at issue in any commitment decision, proper respect for the parental decisionmaking role be balanced with the individual rights of the minor.

Acts 1991, No. 235, §14, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 2014, No. 811, §33, eff. June 23, 2014.