Sec. 572.004.  DISCHARGE.  (a)  A voluntary patient is entitled to leave an inpatient mental health facility in accordance with this section after a written request for discharge is filed with the facility administrator or the administrator's designee.  The request must be signed, timed, and dated by the patient or a person legally responsible for the patient and must be made a part of the patient's clinical record.  If a patient informs an employee of or person associated with the facility of the patient's desire to leave the facility, the employee or person shall, as soon as possible, assist the patient in creating the written request and present it to the patient for the patient's signature.
(b)  The facility shall, within four hours after a request for discharge is filed, notify the physician responsible for the patient's treatment.  If that physician is not available during that period, the facility shall notify any available physician of the request.
(c)  The notified physician shall discharge the patient before the end of the four-hour period unless the physician has reasonable cause to believe that the patient might meet the criteria for court-ordered mental health services or emergency detention.
(d)  A physician who has reasonable cause to believe that a patient might meet the criteria for court-ordered mental health services or emergency detention shall examine the patient as soon as possible within 24 hours after the time the request for discharge is filed.  The physician shall discharge the patient on completion of the examination unless the physician determines that the person meets the criteria for court-ordered mental health services or emergency detention.  If the physician makes a determination that the patient meets the criteria for court-ordered mental health services or emergency detention, the physician shall, not later than 4 p.m. on the next succeeding business day after the date on which the examination occurs, either discharge the patient or file an application for court-ordered mental health services or emergency detention and obtain a written order for further detention.  The physician shall notify the patient if the physician intends to detain the patient under this subsection or intends to file an application for court-ordered mental health services or emergency detention.  A decision to detain a patient under this subsection and the reasons for the decision shall be made a part of the patient's clinical record.
(e)  If extremely hazardous weather conditions exist or a disaster occurs, the physician may request the judge of a court that has jurisdiction over proceedings brought under Chapter 574 to extend the period during which the patient may be detained.  The judge or a magistrate appointed by the judge may by written order made each day extend the period during which the patient may be detained until 4 p.m. on the first succeeding business day.  The written order must declare that an emergency exists because of the weather or the occurrence of a disaster.
(f)  The patient is not entitled to leave the facility if before the end of the period prescribed by this section:
(1)  a written withdrawal of the request for discharge is filed;  or
(2)  an application for court-ordered mental health services or emergency detention is filed and the patient is detained in accordance with this subtitle.
(g)  A plan for continuing care shall be prepared in accordance with Section 574.081 for each patient discharged.  If sufficient time to prepare a continuing care plan before discharge is not available, the plan may be prepared and mailed to the appropriate person within 24 hours after the patient is discharged.
(h)  The patient or other person who files a request for discharge of a patient shall be notified that the person filing the request assumes all responsibility for the patient on discharge.
(i)  On receipt of a written request for discharge from a patient admitted under Section 572.002(3)(B)  who is younger than 18 years of age, a facility shall consult with the patient's parent, managing conservator, or guardian regarding the discharge.  If the parent, managing conservator, or guardian objects in writing to the patient's discharge, the facility shall continue treatment of the patient as a voluntary patient.
Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.  Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 107, Sec. 6.46, eff. Aug. 30, 1993;  Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 705, Sec. 4.02, eff. Aug. 30, 1993;  Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1000, Sec. 4, eff. June 20, 2003.
Amended by: 
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 48 (H.B. 224), Sec. 1, eff. May 17, 2005.