Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Persons Act of 1985
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Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Persons Act of 1985 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that each State should review and revise its law to ensure that mental health patients receive the protection and services they require. Declares that States should consider the recommendations of the President's Commission on Mental Health in making such revisions.
Sets forth a bill of rights for mental health patients which includes the right to: (1) appropriate treatment; (2) an individualized treatment plan; (3) freedom from restraint or seclusion; (4) confidentiality of and access to records; and (5) privacy.
Declares that a patient's attorney or legal representative shall have access to: (1) the patient; (2) the facility; and (3) subject to the patient's written authorization, the records.
Permits States to apply for an allotment to establish a system to protect the rights of the mentally ill. Requires such a system to include the establishment of an advisory board to advocate the rights of the mentally ill. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to prescribe a formula for making such allotments.
Directs the Secretary to report on the activities, accomplishments, and expenditures of such systems.
Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 and 1987.
Repeals title V (Mental Health Rights and Advocacy) of the Mental Health Systems Act.
Became Public Law No: 99-319.
- Public Law PDF
Cite this page
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 974: Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986. 99th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/99-S-974/
"S. 974: Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986." 99th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/99-S-974/.
S. 974, 99th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/99-S-974/.
[S. 974: Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986](https://openamerica.io/bill/99-S-974/)