This section establishes the foundational policy of Louisiana's behavioral health commitment and treatment chapter, affirming that voluntary treatment should be encouraged, involuntary treatment must occur in the least restrictive medically appropriate setting, continuity of care must be provided, and individual patient rights must be safeguarded. It applies broadly to persons with mental illness and substance-related or addictive disorders. Facility operators should understand that this policy statement underpins all subsequent commitment, admission, and treatment requirements in the chapter. No person may be confined in a correctional facility solely due to mental illness or substance use disorder.
View official sourceLogin Sign-Up Home Laws Bills Sessions House Senate Committees Legislators My Legis 2026 Regular Session Other Sessions 2026 Regular Session Other Sessions House Committees Senate Committees Miscellaneous Committees Scheduled Meetings Representatives Senators Caucuses and Delegations RS 28:50 PART III. EXAMINATION, ADMISSION, COMMITMENT, AND TREATMENT OF PERSONS SUFFERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE-RELATED OR ADDICTIVE DISORDERS §50. Declaration of policy The underlying policy of this Chapter is as follows: (1) That persons who have a mental illness and persons suffering from a substance-related or addictive disorder 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 patient to the community as soon as possible, and is the least restrictive of the patient's liberty. (3) That continuity of care for persons who have a mental illness and persons suffering from a substance-related or addictive disorder be provided. (4) That mental health and substance-related and addictive disorder treatment services be delivered as near to the place of residence of the person receiving such services as is reasonably possible and medically appropriate. (5) That individual rights of patients be safeguarded. (6) That no person solely as a result of mental illness, substance-related or addictive disorder, or incapacitation by alcohol shall be confined in any jail, prison, correctional facility, or criminal detention center. This shall not apply to persons arrested, charged, or convicted under Title 14 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950. (7) That no person 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. Added by Acts 1954, No. 701, §2. Amended by Acts 1966, No. 482, §1; Acts 1968, No. 238, §1; Acts 1977, No. 714, §1; Acts 1979, No. 767, §1; Acts 2014, No. 811, §14, eff. June 23, 2014; Acts 2017, No. 369, §2. If you experience any technical difficulties navigating this website, contact the webmaster. P.O. Box 94062 (900 North Third Street) Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804-9062