HR 12263 · 94th Congress · Health
National Mental Health and Disability Advocacy Services Act
Bill Progress
✓
Introduced2
Committee3
House Vote4
Senate5
EnactedLatest: Referred to House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce.(1976-03-03)
Plain Language Summary
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National Mental Health and Disability Advocacy Services Act - Declares it the policy of Congress that persons facing involuntary commitment to a mental or geriatric care facility be given the benefit of due process of law, including but not limited to the right of counsel, in all court and administrative proceedings. Entitles persons so committed seeking release or those alleging deprivation of any constitutional or statutory right to the same safeguards. Requires that an ombudsperson system, to help solve patients' problems which do not involve litigation but necessitate aid, advice, or counseling, be provided and be accessible to all clients of any mental or geriatric care system. Establishes, under the Community Mental Health Centers Act, an Office of Mental Health and Disability Advocacy Services, directing that such Office and the National Institute of Mental Health shall actively seek areas for cooperation in education, training, program, policy and service development, and other related matters. Instructs the Office to enter into contracts with States to assist them in meeting the costs of establishing and maintaining a program of mental health advocacy services, each such p…
Summarized by Claude AI · Non-partisan · For informational purposes only