33-10-409 - Patients in treatment or social services facilities Visitation and communication Patients' rights Detention. - Tennessee Statutes

33-10-409.  Patients in treatment or social services facilities Visitation and communication Patients' rights Detention.

(a)  Patients in any approved treatment or social services facility shall be granted opportunities for visitation and communication with their families and friends consistent with an effective treatment program. Patients shall be permitted to consult with counsel at any time. In determining whether to detain a person under this part, the facility administrator shall also give due consideration to the immediate effect on the individual's employment and shall detain the individual only when the individual's immediate welfare dictates.

(b)  Neither mail nor other communication to or from a patient in any approved treatment or social services facility may be intercepted, read or censored. The approved treatment or social services facility may adopt reasonable policies regarding the use of the telephone in the facility.

[Acts 1990, ch. 639, § 8; 1991, ch. 376, § 5; 1993, ch. 234, § 8; T.C.A., § 33-8-509; Acts 2009, ch. 186, § 34; T.C.A. § 68-24-509.]