Texas Administrative Code
Title 25 - HEALTH SERVICES
Part 1 - DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
Chapter 404 - PROTECTION OF CLIENTS AND STAFF-MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Subchapter E - RIGHTS OF PERSONS RECEIVING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Section 404.161 - Rights Handbooks for Persons Receiving Mental Health Services at Department Facilities, Community Centers, and Psychiatric Hospitals Operated by Community Centers

(a) The department will publish a rights handbook which will contain interpretations written in simple and nontechnical language of the various rights afforded individuals receiving mental health services, an explanation of the circumstances under which those rights may be limited, and an explanation of the appeals process. This handbook will be revised by the Office of Consumer Services and Rights Protection as necessary.

(b) The department will publish a Teen's Bill of Rights and a Children's Bill of Rights ("The Little Dinosaur Named Wilbur," with supplementary material) which are adopted by reference as Exhibits B and C of this subchapter, respectively, with copies available from the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, P.O. Box 12668, Austin, Texas 78711-2668. The Teen's Bill of Rights and the Children's Bill of Rights will contain interpretations written in simple and nontechnical language of the rights afforded minors receiving mental health services, an explanation of the circumstances under which those rights may be limited, and organizations individuals may contact in the event of rights violations. The Teen's Bill of Rights and the Children's Bill of Rights will be revised as necessary.

(c) The handbook, Teen's Bill of Rights and/or Children's Bill of Rights, published by the department will be used as the formal document for rights notification for individuals admitted to department facilities, their community programs, and psychiatric hospitals operated by community centers. Community centers may distribute the handbook published by the department or may choose to publish their own version. Handbooks published by community centers must contain all rights outlined in the handbook published by the department and must be approved by the Office of Consumer Services and Rights Protection prior to their distribution.

(d) Each handbook distributed must include the toll-free number of the Office of Consumer Services and Rights Protection (CSRP) in central office (1-800-252-8154), the toll free TDD number of CSRP (1-800-538-4870), the toll free number of Advocacy, Inc. (1-800-223-4206, both voice and TDD capabilities), the name, telephone number, and mailing address of the rights protection officer, and the mailing address of the public responsibility committee for the facility or community center which distributes it.

(e) Immediately upon admission into services, each individual and the parent or conservator of a minor and the legal guardian of the person, when applicable, must be given the appropriate rights handbook. The parent, conservator, or legal guardian of a minor shall also receive a copy of the rights handbook in addition to the Teen's Bill of Rights and/or Children's Bill of Rights.

(f) All handbooks must be printed in English and Spanish, and must be made available in any other language used by a significant percentage of the service area's population. Copies of the rights handbook must be displayed prominently at all times in all areas frequented by persons receiving services (e.g., day rooms, recreational rooms, waiting rooms, lobby areas). A sufficient number of copies will be kept on hand in each of these areas in order that a copy may be made readily available to anyone requesting one. The head of each department facility and community center shall appoint an individual responsible for ensuring that these requirements are met.

(g) Nothing in this section shall preclude the use or distribution of additional brochures or materials outlining rights information provided the information does not conflict with information presented in the rights handbook.