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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>58222</law_id><section_number>37.2-400</section_number><catch_line>Rights of individuals receiving services</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>2.2-309.1</reference><reference>2.2-3705.3</reference><reference>37.2-1101</reference><reference>37.2-304</reference><reference>37.2-412</reference><reference>37.2-419</reference><reference>37.2-504</reference><reference>37.2-508</reference><reference>37.2-605</reference><reference>37.2-709.1</reference><reference>54.1-2970</reference><reference>54.1-2986.2</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="37.2">Behavioral Health and Developmental Services</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="I">General Provisions</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="4">Protection of Consumers</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="1">Human Rights</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Each <span class="dictionary">individual receiving services</span> in a hospital, <span class="dictionary">training center</span>, other <span class="dictionary">facility</span>, or program operated, funded, or licensed by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>, excluding those operated by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of Corrections, shall be assured his legal rights and care consistent with basic human dignity insofar as it is within the reasonable capabilities and limitations of the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>, funded program, or licensee and is consistent with sound therapeutic treatment. Each individual admitted to a hospital, <span class="dictionary">training center</span>, other <span class="dictionary">facility</span>, or program operated, funded, or licensed by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> shall: <a id="paragraph-213344" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/37.2-400/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Retain his legal rights as provided by <span class="dictionary">state</span> and federal <span class="dictionary">law</span>; <a id="paragraph-213345" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/37.2-400/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Receive prompt evaluation and treatment or training about which he is informed insofar as he is capable of understanding; <a id="paragraph-213346" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/37.2-400/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Be treated with dignity as a human being and be free from <span class="dictionary">abuse</span> or <span class="dictionary">neglect</span>; <a id="paragraph-213347" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/37.2-400/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Not be the subject of experimental or investigational research without his prior written and informed consent or that of his legally authorized representative; <a id="paragraph-213348" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/37.2-400/#A4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Be afforded an opportunity to have access to consultation with a private physician at his own expense and, in the case of hazardous treatment or irreversible surgical procedures, have, upon request, an impartial review prior to implementation, except in case of emergency procedures required for the preservation of his health; <a id="paragraph-213349" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/37.2-400/#A5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Be treated under the least restrictive conditions consistent with his condition and not be subjected to unnecessary physical restraint and isolation; <a id="paragraph-213350" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/37.2-400/#A6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A7" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> Be allowed to send and receive <span class="dictionary">sealed</span> letter mail; <a id="paragraph-213351" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/37.2-400/#A7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A8" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> Have access to his medical and clinical treatment, training, or habilitation records and be assured of their confidentiality but, notwithstanding other provisions of <span class="dictionary">law</span>, this right shall be limited to access consistent with his condition and sound therapeutic treatment; <a id="paragraph-213352" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/37.2-400/#A8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A9" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> Have the right to an impartial review of violations of the rights assured under this section and the right of access to legal <span class="dictionary">counsel</span>; <a id="paragraph-213353" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/37.2-400/#A9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A10" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">10.</span> Be afforded appropriate opportunities, consistent with the individual&#x2019;s capabilities and capacity, to participate in the development and implementation of his individualized services plan; and <a id="paragraph-213354" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/37.2-400/#A10"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A11" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">11.</span> Be afforded the opportunity to have a person of his choice notified of his general condition, location, and transfer to another <span class="dictionary">facility</span>.
				The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this subsection after due notice and public <span class="dictionary">hearing</span>, as provided for in the Administrative Process Act (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Short title; purpose" href="/2.2-4000/">2.2-4000</a> et seq.). <a id="paragraph-213355" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/37.2-400/#A11"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall adopt regulations delineating the rights of <span class="dictionary">individuals</span> receiving services with respect to nutritionally adequate diet; safe and sanitary housing; participation in nontherapeutic labor; attendance or nonattendance at religious services; participation in treatment decision-making, including <span class="dictionary">due process</span> procedures to be followed when an individual may be unable to make an informed decision; notification of a person of his choice regarding his general condition, location, and transfer to another <span class="dictionary">facility</span>; use of telephones; suitable clothing; <span class="dictionary">possession</span> of money and valuables; and related matters. <a id="paragraph-213356" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/37.2-400/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The human rights regulations shall be applicable to all hospitals, <span class="dictionary">training centers</span>, other facilities, and programs operated, funded, or licensed by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span>; these hospitals, <span class="dictionary">training centers</span>, other facilities, or programs may be classified as to population served, size, type of services, or other reasonable classification. <a id="paragraph-213357" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/37.2-400/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall adopt regulations requiring public and private facilities and programs licensed or funded by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> to provide nonprivileged information and statistical data to the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> related to (i) the results of investigations of <span class="dictionary">abuse</span> or <span class="dictionary">neglect</span>, (ii) deaths and serious injuries, (iii) instances of seclusion and restraint, including the duration, type, and rationale for use per <span class="dictionary">individual receiving services</span>, and (iv) <span class="dictionary">findings</span> by <span class="dictionary">state</span> or local human rights committees or the Office of Human Rights in the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of human rights violations, <span class="dictionary">abuse</span>, or <span class="dictionary">neglect</span>. The <span class="dictionary">Board</span>&#x2019;s regulations shall address the procedures for collecting, compiling, encrypting, and releasing the data. This information and statistical data shall be made available to the public in a format from which all information identifying a provider or an <span class="dictionary">individual receiving services</span> has been removed. The <span class="dictionary">Board</span>&#x2019;s regulations shall specifically exclude all proceedings, minutes, records, and reports of any committee or nonprofit entity providing a centralized credentialing service that are identified as privileged pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Privileged communications of certain committees and entities" href="/8.01-581.17/">8.01-581.17</a>. <a id="paragraph-213358" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/37.2-400/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1974, c. 335, &#xA7; 37.1-84.1; 1976, c. 671; 1989, cc. 459, 591; 1992, c. 603; 1999, c. 969; 2005, c. 716; 2009, cc. 111, 517; 2012, cc. 476, 507.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
