RCSA 17a-543(i)

Treatment by Prayer Alone (§§ 17a-543(i)-1—17a-543(i)-3)

This regulation establishes procedures for patients admitted to inpatient psychiatric facilities in Connecticut who wish to be treated by prayer alone in accordance with their religious beliefs. It requires a written application signed by both the patient and the designated clergyperson, a physician evaluation to assess risk of harm, and written notification of the facility head's decision. It also specifies the conditions under which authorization for prayer-only treatment may be withdrawn or overridden by involuntary medical treatment.

Agency 
Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services 
Subject 
Treatment by Prayer Alone 
Inclusive Sections 
§§ 17a-543(i)-1—17a-543(i)-3 
CONTENTS 
Sec. 17a-543(i)-1. Application procedures 
Sec. 17a-543(i)-2. Review procedures 
Sec. 17a-543(i)-3. Exclusions 
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Revised: 2015-3-6 R.C.S.A. §§ 17a-543(i)-1—17a-543(i)-3 
Regulations of C onnecticut State Agencies 
TITLE 17a. Social & Human Services & Resources 
Revised: 2015-3-6 
D epartm ent of M ental H ealth and Addiction Services 
R.C.S.A. §§ 17a-543(i)-1—17a-543(i)-3 
§17a-543(i)-3 
Treatment by Prayer Alone 
Sec. 17a-543(i)-1. Application procedures 
Any person admitted to an inpatient facility for the treatment of a mental illness, except
a person committed for the restoration of criminal competency under section 54-56d of the 
Connecticut General Statutes, who wishes to be treated by prayer alone in accordance with 
the principles and practices of a church or religious denomination, may make application 
in writing to the facility.
(a) The application must state that the person’s sincere religious beliefs require that he 
or she be treated by prayer alone and that a duly accredited practitioner or ordained minister,
priest or rabbi of such church or religious denomination is available to provide such 
treatment.
(b) The application must be signed by both the person and the proposed clergyperson 
who will provide such treatment and shall outline the nature and frequency of the treatment
to be provided, the expected outcome, and the expected length of treatment.
(Adopted effective July 23, 1999)
Sec. 17a-543(i)-2. Review procedures 
(a) Upon receipt of an application filed in accordance with section 17a-543(i)-1 of the 
Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, the facility shall appoint a licensed physician 
of an appropriate specialty to conduct an evaluation of the person. Such physician shall
prepare a written report, which shall contain his or her conclusion as to whether, based on 
the person’s past history and/or current condition, there is a serious risk of harm to the 
person or to others if the person is permitted to be treated by prayer alone.
(b) The head of the facility shall then notify the person in writing of his or her decision 
to permit or not to permit treatment by prayer alone.
(Adopted effective July 23, 1999)
Sec. 17a-543(i)-3. Exclusions 
No person authorized under section 17a-543(i)-1 through 17a-543(i)-2, inclusive, of the 
Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies to be treated by prayer alone shall be subject to 
any form of involuntary medical, psychological or psychiatric treatment unless:
(a) Emergency treatment is ordered under the provisions of section 17a-543(b) of the 
Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies;
(b) The head of the facility makes a finding in writing that the clergyperson designated 
to provide such treatment has failed to provide the treatment described in the application 
submitted under subsection 17a-543(i)-1 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies;
or
(c) The head of the facility has withdrawn such authorization, based on a physician’s 
report that, since the time of the original authorization, the person’s condition has changed 
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Regulations of C onnecticut State Agencies 
TITLE 17a. Social & Human Services & Resources 
Revised: 2015-3-6 
D epartm ent of M ental H ealth and Addiction Services 
R.C.S.A. §§ 17a-543(i)-1—17a-543(i)-3 
§17a-543(i)-3 
and there now exists a serious risk of harm to the person or to others.
(Adopted effective July 23, 1999)
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Regulations of C onnecticut State Agencies 
TITLE 17a. Social & Human Services & Resources