Individual Rights
Right to Individual Dignity
You have the right to:
- Be treated with respect at all times.
- Be free from abuse and neglect.
- Be free from exploitation, retaliation, and humiliation.
- Have freedom of movement, unless it has been restricted as a part of your treatment or by a judge.
- Have freedom of religion and practice.
Right to Treatment
You have the right to:
- Appropriate treatment, regardless of your ability to pay.
- Receive treatment in the least restrictive setting.
Right to Express and Informed Consent
You have the right to:
- Consent or not consent to treatment, unless restricted by a judge or in an emergency. If you are under 18 years of age, your guardian must also be asked to give expressed and informed consent.
- Be informed about the reason for your admission, your proposed treatment, any potential side effects of any treatment, your approximate length of stay, and other possible treatments.
- Take back any consent to treatment, either verbally or in writing, by you, your guardian or guardian advocate.
- If necessary, to be provided, though court, a guardian advocate to make decisions regarding your treatment.
Right to Quality Treatment
You have the right to:
- Receive services that are skillfully, safely, and humanely administered.
- Receive appropriate medical, vocational, social, educational, and rehabilitative services.
Right to Communication, Abuse Reporting, and Visits
You have the right to:
- Have visitors at reasonable hours, unless visits are restricted as part of your treatment.
- Send and receive mail and use the telephone, unless restricted as part of your treatment.
- Have access to a private telephone to report any possible abuse or neglect to the Florida Abuse Hot-line at 1-800-962-2873.
Right to Care and Custody of Personnel Effects
You have the right to:
- Have your personal clothing and belongings, unless restricted as part of your treatment.
- Have written inventory of any of your personal clothing or belongings that are taken from you.
Right to Vote in Public Elections
You have the right to:
- Vote in all public elections, if eligible.
- Be assisted in registering to vote and in voting.
- Know there is a procedure for you to obtain a voter registration form and application for absentee ballots.
Right to Ask for a Court Order (A Writ of Habeas Corpus)
You have the right to:
- Question the cause and legality of your being detained.
- Ask the circuit court to order your release.
Right to Clinical Records
You have the right to:
- Have reasonable access to your own records.
- Authorize release of information to people or agencies.
- Have your records kept confidential.
Right to Education for Children
You have the right to:
- Receive educations as appropriate and in the least restrictive setting possible in accordance with Chapter 232.0(1)€, Florida Statures.
Right to Designate Representatives
You have the right to:
- Designate a person to receive any required notices.
Right to Participate in Treatment and Discharge Planning
You have the right to:
- Help make decisions about your treatment and provide written comments on your treatment plan.
- Informed consent or refusal of expression of choice regarding the composition of the service delivery team.
- Help make plans for your discharge.