Connecticut General Statutes
Chapter 319i - Persons with Psychiatric Disabilities
Section 17a-523. (Formerly Sec. 17-200). - Commission to inquire whether person is wrongly confined.

Any judge of the Superior Court, on information to him that any person is unjustly deprived of his liberty by being detained or confined in any hospital for psychiatric disabilities, or in any place for the detention or confinement of persons with psychiatric disabilities, or in custody and control of any individual under an order of a court of probate, may appoint a commission of not fewer than two persons, who, at a time and place appointed by them, shall hear any evidence offered regarding the case. Such commission need not summon the party claimed to be unjustly confined before it, but shall have one or more private interviews with him and shall also make inquiries of the physicians and other persons having charge of such place of detention or confinement, and within a reasonable time thereafter report to such judge the facts and its opinion thereon. If, in its opinion, such person is not legally detained or confined in such place, or is cured, or his confinement is no longer beneficial or advisable, such judge shall order his discharge; but no commission shall be appointed with reference to the same person more often than once in six months. The judge before whom any of the proceedings provided for in this section are had may tax reasonable costs at his discretion.

(1949 Rev., S. 2682; P.A. 86-371, S. 15, 45; P.A. 90-271, S. 12, 24; P.A. 95-257, S. 48, 58; P.A. 09-145, S. 9.)
History: P.A. 86-371 deleted reference to detention or confinement in “any inebriate hospital in this state”; P.A. 90-271 made a technical change; Sec. 17-200 transferred to Sec. 17a-523 in 1991; P.A. 95-257 replaced variants of “mental illness” and “mentally ill” with variants of “psychiatric disabilities”, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 09-145 made a technical change.
See Sec. 17a-510 re procedure for release or transfer of patient in hospital for the mentally ill.
See Sec. 46b-1 re wrongful confinement considered as family relations matter.
Annotations to former section 17-200:
Cited. 173 C. 473.
Inquest procedure violates due process. 30 CS 320.

Structure Connecticut General Statutes

Connecticut General Statutes

Title 17a - Social and Human Services and Resources

Chapter 319i - Persons with Psychiatric Disabilities

Section 17a-450. (Formerly Sec. 17-207b). - Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Functions and duties.

Section 17a-450a. - Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Successor to the Department of Mental Health and to the addiction services component of the former Department of Public Health and Addiction Services.

Section 17a-450b. - Affirmative action plan.

Section 17a-450c. - Employment applicants and volunteers required to submit to state criminal background check and check of state child abuse and neglect registries.

Section 17a-451. (Formerly Sec. 17-210a). - Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Duties. Regulations re fair hearing process. Memorandum of understanding.

Section 17a-451a. - Closure of state-operated programs at Fairfield Hills Hospital and at Norwich Hospital and consolidation of programs at Connecticut Valley Hospital. Private provider services.

Section 17a-451b. - Consolidation of inpatient mental health and substance abuse services at Connecticut Valley Hospital: Exemption from certain approval requirements.

Section 17a-451c. - Relocation of former Norwich Hospital tenants. Exemption from certain project approval requirements.

Section 17a-451d. - Nonlapsing fund for site acquisition, capital development and infrastructure costs to provide services to persons with intellectual disability or psychiatric disabilities.

Section 17a-451e. - Sale, lease or transfer of Fairfield Hills Hospital. Use of moneys.

Section 17a-451f. - Nonlapsing mental health services grants accounts.

Section 17a-451g. - Mental health community investment account.

Section 17a-452. (Formerly Sec. 17-210b). - Deputy commissioners.

Section 17a-453. (Formerly Sec. 17-219). - Administration of Mental Health Act authorized by Congress. Funds.

Section 17a-453a and 17a-453b. - Operation of behavioral health managed care program for recipients of medical services under the state-administered general assistance program. Waiver from federal law sought for services provided under section 17a-45...

Section 17a-453c. - “Project Safe” interagency collaboration.

Section 17a-453d. - Transitional behavioral health services available to certain reservists and their dependents.

Section 17a-453e. - Web site to provide mental health care information and assistance.

Section 17a-453f. - Pilot behavioral health support services program.

Section 17a-453g. - Case management and case coordination services for persons with mental illness.

Section 17a-453h. - Mental health first aid training program.

Section 17a-453i. - Mental health toolkit re COVID-19.

Section 17a-454. (Formerly Sec. 17-220). - Acceptance of gift or devise by Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Section 17a-455. (Formerly Sec. 17-221). - Acceptance of gift or devise on behalf of state-operated facility within the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Section 17a-455a. - Lease of private residence for a person receiving services from the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Section 17a-456. (Formerly Sec. 17-207). - Board of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Section 17a-457. (Formerly Sec. 17-208a). - Duties of board.

Section 17a-458. (Formerly Sec. 17-207a). - Definitions.

Section 17a-458a. - Term “psychiatric disability” substituted for “mental illness”.

Section 17a-458b to 17a-458d. - “Acute Care Division” defined. Effect of consolidation of operations at Connecticut Valley Hospital and Cedarcrest Hospital. Term “substance use disorders” substituted for “substance abuse disabilities”.

Section 17a-459. (Formerly Sec. 17-209a). - Connecticut Mental Health Center.

Section 17a-460. (Formerly Sec. 17-209b). - Center advisory board.

Section 17a-460a. - Connecticut Mental Health Center: Definitions.

Section 17a-460b. - Connecticut Mental Health Center: Participation authorized.

Section 17a-460c. - Connecticut Mental Health Center: Provider agreements.

Section 17a-460d. - Connecticut Mental Health Center: Other contracts.

Section 17a-460e. - Connecticut Mental Health Center: Authorized activities.

Section 17a-460f. - Connecticut Mental Health Center: Accounting.

Section 17a-461. (Formerly Sec. 17-209c). - Charges for care.

Section 17a-462. (Formerly Sec. 17-209g). - Capitol Region Mental Health Center.

Section 17a-463. (Formerly Sec. 17-212a). - Fairfield Hills Hospital. Greenwich House property transferred.

Section 17a-464. (Formerly Sec. 17-209h). - Ribicoff Research Center.

Section 17a-465. (Formerly Sec. 17-222). - Traffic regulation on grounds of Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services facilities.

Section 17a-465a. (Formerly Sec. 19a-5c). - Traffic restrictions on grounds of facility. Penalty.

Section 17a-465b. - Filing of missing person report concerning person missing from inpatient facility.

Section 17a-466. (Formerly Sec. 17-211a). - Contract for services for patients or former patients of department institutions.

Section 17a-467. (Formerly Sec. 17-211b). - Private treatment of patients in Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services facilities. Payment for treatment.

Section 17a-468. (Formerly Sec. 17-211c). - Contracts with private agencies for halfway house handling of patients.

Section 17a-468a. - Provision of housing subsidies to persons qualifying for supportive housing.

Section 17a-468b. - Residences for adults with acquired brain injuries. Administration of medication.

Section 17a-469. (Formerly Sec. 17-224). - Psychiatric clinics and day treatment programs.

Section 17a-470. (Formerly Sec. 17-213a). - Advisory boards for state hospitals and facilities.

Section 17a-471. (Formerly Sec. 17-214a). - Duties of advisory boards.

Section 17a-471a. - Connecticut Valley Hospital: Development of policies and standards for resident clients; advisory council.

Section 17a-471b and 17a-471c. - Fairfield Hills Hospital oversight committee. Norwich Hospital oversight committee.

Section 17a-472. (Formerly Sec. 17-215a). - Appointment and removal of facility superintendents and directors.

Section 17a-473. (Formerly Sec. 17-215b). - Duties of superintendents and directors.

Section 17a-474. (Formerly Sec. 17-229a). - Commitment to state hospital for persons with psychiatric disabilities or to child care facility. Procedures for revoking or modifying commitment.

Section 17a-475. (Formerly Sec. 17-215c). - Written policy re treatment plans.

Section 17a-475a. - Medical services for women in state-operated facilities.

Section 17a-476. (Formerly Sec. 17-226b). - Grants to general hospitals, municipalities and nonprofit organizations for mental health services.

Section 17a-476a. - Grantee organization director salaries.

Section 17a-478. (Formerly Sec. 17-226e). - Mental health regions established.

Section 17a-479. (Formerly Sec. 17-226f). - Purposes of mental health regions. Receipt of services by persons residing outside region.

Section 17a-480. (Formerly Sec. 17-226g). - Regional mental health directors.

Section 17a-481. (Formerly Sec. 17-226i). - Per capita formula for funds of mental health regions.

Section 17a-482. (Formerly Sec. 17-226j). - Definitions.

Section 17a-483. (Formerly Sec. 17-226k). - Catchment area council; representatives; duties.

Section 17a-484. (Formerly Sec. 17-226l). - Regional mental health boards; duties; funds; staff; representation of alcohol and drug programs.

Section 17a-484a. - Grants-in-aid for support services to eligible households.

Section 17a-484b. - Pilot peer engagement specialist program.

Section 17a-484c. - Discharge plan. Regulations.

Section 17a-484d. - Pilot program for alcohol-dependent persons discharged from certain hospitals.

Section 17a-484e. - Community-based behavioral health services grant program.

Section 17a-484f. - Regional behavioral health action organizations.

Section 17a-484g. - Psychedelic-assisted therapy pilot program.

Section 17a-485 to 17a-485b. - Community Mental Health Strategic Investment Fund. Community mental health strategic plan and financial assistance plan; information and expenditure recommendations to the Community Mental Health Strategy Board. Communi...

Section 17a-485c. - Permanent supportive housing initiatives. Requests for proposals.

Section 17a-485d. - Availability of optional rehabilitation services or substance abuse services under Medicaid program. Amendments to Medicaid state plan. Report to General Assembly. Certification of providers by Commissioner of Mental Health and Ad...

Section 17a-485e. - State contractual authority re state assistance on bonds issued by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority for permanent supportive housing initiatives.

Section 17a-485f. - Supported or supervised housing for adults with severe and persistent psychiatric disabilities.

Section 17a-485g. - Pilot program for certain health care professionals. Pilot state police peer-counseling program. Report.

Section 17a-485h. - Certification of intermediate duration acute psychiatric care beds in general hospitals. Policies, procedures and regulations.

Section 17a-485i. - Behavioral health recovery program for individuals with substance use disorders or psychiatric disabilities. Policies, procedures and regulations.

Section 17a-485j. - Mobile crisis response services availability.

Section 17a-486. (Formerly Sec. 17a-681a). - Clinical assessment of certain persons charged with misdemeanor or felony.

Section 17a-487. - Serious injury or unexpected death of persons served by Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Department of Children and Families.

Section 17a-488. - Report of suspected abuse. Training program. Penalty for failure to report. Immunity.

Section 17a-488a. - Investigation of report. Findings, recommendations and disclosure of results. Registry. Confidentiality. Right of access to records.

Section 17a-495. (Formerly Sec. 17-176). - Definitions.

Section 17a-496. (Formerly Sec. 17-229). - Penalty.

Section 17a-497. (Formerly Sec. 17-177). - Commitment jurisdiction. Application. Appointment of three-judge court.

Section 17a-498. (Formerly Sec. 17-178). - Hearing on commitment application. Notice. Rights of respondent. Examination by physicians. Order of commitment. Election of voluntary status prior to adjudication. Review of confinement.

Section 17a-499. (Formerly Sec. 17-179). - Court records. Commitment; uniform forms; service of process.

Section 17a-500. (Formerly Sec. 17-180). - Maintenance and confidentiality of records of cases of persons with psychiatric disabilities. Exchange of information concerning commitment or admission status of firearm permit or certificate applicants and...

Section 17a-501. (Formerly Sec. 17-182). - Hospitals to which person with psychiatric disabilities committed.

Section 17a-502. (Formerly Sec. 17-183). - Commitment under emergency certificate. Examination of patient. Explanation of rights. Hearing. Private hospitals' notification to commissioner. Immediate discharge of patient. Notification of next of kin. P...

Section 17a-503. (Formerly Sec. 17-183a). - Detention by police officer prior to commitment. Issuance of emergency certificates by psychologist, certain clinical social workers, advanced practice registered nurses, professional counselors and marital...

Section 17a-504. (Formerly Sec. 17-184). - Penalty for wrongful acts re the commitment or psychiatric disabilities of another person.

Section 17a-505. (Formerly Sec. 17-186). - Escort of female patients to hospital.

Section 17a-506. (Formerly Sec. 17-187). - Voluntary admissions. Notification of next of kin. Restriction on right to leave. Commitment proceedings. Continuation of confinement. Probable cause hearing.

Section 17a-506a. - Voluntary admissions. Notification of commissioner. Maintenance of identifying information.

Section 17a-507. (Formerly Sec. 17-187a). - Admission to general hospital having psychiatric facilities.

Section 17a-508. (Formerly Sec. 17-188). - Commitment after expiration of specified period.

Section 17a-509. (Formerly Sec. 17-191). - Placement of persons with psychiatric disabilities in residential care homes or chronic and convalescent hospitals.

Section 17a-510. (Formerly Sec. 17-192). - Release or transfer; procedure.

Section 17a-511. (Formerly Sec. 17-193). - Transfer of patients by agreement.

Section 17a-512. (Formerly Sec. 17-194b). - Definitions.

Section 17a-513. (Formerly Sec. 17-194c). - Voluntary admission of inmates of correctional institutions in hospital for psychiatric disabilities.

Section 17a-514. (Formerly Sec. 17-194d). - Emergency confinement in hospital for psychiatric disabilities of inmates of correctional institutions.

Section 17a-515. (Formerly Sec. 17-194e). - Commitment proceedings for inmates of correctional institutions to hospitals for psychiatric disabilities.

Section 17a-516. (Formerly Sec. 17-194f). - Discharge from hospital of inmates of correctional institutions.

Section 17a-517. (Formerly Sec. 17-194g). - Hospitalization of individual with psychiatric disability in Whiting Forensic Hospital. Exception. Limitation of placement of inmate requiring maximum security conditions.

Section 17a-518. (Formerly Sec. 17-195). - Transportation expense from community correctional centers to hospital and vice versa.

Section 17a-519. (Formerly Sec. 17-196). - Fees, compensation and costs.

Section 17a-520. (Formerly Sec. 17-197). - Commitment at expiration of term of imprisonment.

Section 17a-521. (Formerly Sec. 17-198). - Temporary leaves from institution. Return or recall of patient. Exception.

Section 17a-522. (Formerly Sec. 17-199). - Recommitment of escaped persons.

Section 17a-523. (Formerly Sec. 17-200). - Commission to inquire whether person is wrongly confined.

Section 17a-524. (Formerly Sec. 17-201). - Writ of habeas corpus.

Section 17a-525. (Formerly Sec. 17-202). - Appeal.

Section 17a-526. (Formerly Sec. 17-203). - Commitment suspended on bond for confinement.

Section 17a-527. (Formerly Sec. 17-204). - Court may direct as to care of mentally ill pending appeal.

Section 17a-528. (Formerly Sec. 17-205a). - Payment of commitment and transportation expenses.

Section 17a-540. (Formerly Sec. 17-206a). - Definitions.

Section 17a-541. (Formerly Sec. 17-206b). - Deprivation of rights of patient prohibited. Exception.

Section 17a-542. (Formerly Sec. 17-206c). - Humane and dignified treatment required. Formulation of discharge plan.

Section 17a-543. (Formerly Sec. 17-206d). - Procedures governing medication, treatment, psychosurgery and shock therapy.

Section 17a-543a. - Administration of medication to criminal defendant placed in custody of Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Special limited conservator.

Section 17a-544. (Formerly Sec. 17-206e). - Placement of patient in seclusion or mechanical restraint. Medication not to be used as substitute for habilitation.

Section 17a-545. (Formerly Sec. 17-206f). - Physical and psychiatric examinations.

Section 17a-546. (Formerly Sec. 17-206g). - Communication by mail and telephone.

Section 17a-547. (Formerly Sec. 17-206h). - Visitors. Restrictions on mail, telephone and visitor privileges, when allowed.

Section 17a-548. (Formerly Sec. 17-206i). - Patient's rights re clothing, possessions, money and access to records. List of rights to be posted.

Section 17a-549. (Formerly Sec. 17-206j). - Denial of employment, housing, licenses, because of history of mental disorder restricted.

Section 17a-550. (Formerly Sec. 17-206k). - Remedies of aggrieved persons.

Section 17a-560. (Formerly Sec. 17-238). - Definitions.

Section 17a-560a. - Whiting Forensic Division of Connecticut Valley Hospital substituted for Whiting Forensic Institute.

Section 17a-561. (Formerly Sec. 17-239). - Persons to be treated at Whiting Forensic Hospital.

Section 17a-562. (Formerly Sec. 17-240). - Whiting Forensic Hospital under control and supervision of Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Section 17a-563. (Formerly Sec. 17-242). - Appointment of staff.

Section 17a-564. (Formerly Sec. 17-242a). - Director to make report to board.

Section 17a-565. (Formerly Sec. 17-243). - Advisory board.

Section 17a-566. (Formerly Sec. 17-244). - Certain convicted persons to be examined. Report and recommendation.

Section 17a-567. (Formerly Sec. 17-245). - Disposition of defendant after report.

Section 17a-568. (Formerly Sec. 17-247). - Other statutes not affected.

Section 17a-569. (Formerly Sec. 17-250). - Periodic examinations of patients.

Section 17a-570. (Formerly Sec. 17-251). - Review and disposition of case after periodic examination. Report of determination to court. Hearing.

Section 17a-571. (Formerly Sec. 17-252). - Notice of director's action.

Section 17a-572. (Formerly Sec. 17-253). - Records to be confidential.

Section 17a-573. (Formerly Sec. 17-254). - When director may institute commitment proceedings.

Section 17a-574. (Formerly Sec. 17-255). - Cases affecting juveniles unaffected.

Section 17a-575. (Formerly Sec. 17-256). - Habeas corpus unaffected.

Section 17a-576. (Formerly Sec. 17-257). - Effective date.

Section 17a-580. (Formerly Sec. 17-257a). - Definitions.

Section 17a-581. (Formerly Sec. 17-257b). - Psychiatric Security Review Board. Membership. Meetings. Regulations.

Section 17a-582. (Formerly Sec. 17-257c). - Confinement of acquittee for examination. Court order of commitment to board or discharge.

Section 17a-583. (Formerly Sec. 17-257d). - Initial hearing by board after commitment.

Section 17a-584. (Formerly Sec. 17-257e). - Finding and action by board. Recommendation of discharge. Order of conditional release or confinement.

Section 17a-585. (Formerly Sec. 17-257f). - Periodic review by board.

Section 17a-586. (Formerly Sec. 17-257g). - Periodic report re mental condition of acquittee.

Section 17a-587. (Formerly Sec. 17-257h). - Temporary leave. Notification to victim. Application for order of temporary leave. Supervision of acquittee on temporary leave.

Section 17a-588. (Formerly Sec. 17-257i). - Conditional release.

Section 17a-589. (Formerly Sec. 17-257j). - Supervision of acquittee on conditional release.

Section 17a-590. (Formerly Sec. 17-257k). - Examination and treatment of acquittee on conditional release. Status reports to board re treatment.

Section 17a-591. (Formerly Sec. 17-257l). - Modification of conditional release.

Section 17a-592. (Formerly Sec. 17-257m). - Board recommendation to discharge acquittee from custody.

Section 17a-593. (Formerly Sec. 17-257n). - Court order to discharge acquittee from custody.

Section 17a-594. (Formerly Sec. 17-257o). - Summary modification or termination of conditional release upon violation of terms or change in mental health.

Section 17a-595. (Formerly Sec. 17-257p). - Testimony of witnesses before board. Subpoena.

Section 17a-596. (Formerly Sec. 17-257q). - Board hearing procedures.

Section 17a-596a. - Image or recording of acquittee under jurisdiction of the board. Reviewable by counsel in matter before board or Superior Court. Property of Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Section 17a-597. (Formerly Sec. 17-257r). - Appeal of board orders and decisions.

Section 17a-598. (Formerly Sec. 17-257s). - Court hearing procedures.

Section 17a-599. (Formerly Sec. 17-257t). - Confinement under conditions of maximum security. Transfer for medical treatment. Risk management review committee. Requests to transfer from maximum security division to lower security division.

Section 17a-600. (Formerly Sec. 17-257u). - Appointment of overseer and conservator for acquittee. Payment of expenses.

Section 17a-601. (Formerly Sec. 17-257v). - Notice to victims of court and board hearings.

Section 17a-602. (Formerly Sec. 17-257w). - Applicability of sections 17a-580 to 17a-601, inclusive.

Section 17a-603. - Court enforcement of statutes and orders.

Section 17a-615. (Formerly Sec. 17-258). - Interstate Compact on Mental Health.

Section 17a-616. (Formerly Sec. 17-259). - Compact administrators.

Section 17a-617. (Formerly Sec. 17-260). - Supplementary agreements.

Section 17a-618. (Formerly Sec. 17-261). - Payment of obligations.