Current through Public Act 103-1056
(a) If the facility director of a Department mental health facility declines to admit a person seeking admission under Articles III or IV of this Chapter, a review of the denial may be requested by the person seeking admission or, with his consent, by an interested person on his behalf. Such a request may be made on behalf of a minor presented for admission under Section 3-502, 3-503 or 3-504 by the minor's attorney, by the parent, guardian or person in loco parentis who executed the application for his admission, or by the minor himself if he is 16 years of age or older. Whenever admission to a Department facility is denied, the person seeking admission shall immediately be given written notice of the right to request review of the denial under this Section and shall be provided, if he is 12 or older, with the address and phone number of the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission. If the person requests, the facility director shall assist him in contacting the Commission. A written request for review shall be submitted to the director of the facility that denied admission within 14 days of the denial. Upon receipt of the request, the facility director shall promptly schedule a hearing to be held at the denying facility within 7 days pursuant to Section 3-207.(b) At the hearing the Department shall have the burden of proving that the person denied admission does not meet the standard set forth in the Section under which admission is sought or that an appropriate alternative community treatment program was available to meet the person's needs and was offered. If the utilization review committee finds that the decision denying admission is based upon substantial evidence, it shall recommend that the denial of admission be upheld. However, if it finds that the facility to which admission is sought can provide adequate and appropriate treatment for the person and no appropriate community alternative treatment is available, it shall recommend that the person denied admission be admitted. If it determines that another facility can provide treatment appropriate to the clinical condition and needs of the person denied admission, it may recommend that the Department or other agency assist the person in obtaining such treatment.P.A. 88-484; 91-726, eff. 6/2/2000.