What are the legal protections for mentally ill people?

In Washington, there are several legal protections for mentally ill people. These protections are based on federal and state statutes, judicial decisions, and administrative rules. At the federal level, a major law protecting mentally ill people is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA makes it illegal for employers to discriminate against people with mental illnesses. It also requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with mental illnesses so that they can perform their job duties. At the state level, the Washington Mental Health Law outlines the basic rights of people with mental illnesses. Among those rights are the right to privacy and confidentiality of medical records; the right to be informed of treatment choices and to refuse treatment; the right to be free from discrimination and harassment; and the right to seek redress and receive compensation for any harm caused. In addition to laws, the Washington Supreme Court has issued several opinions that protect the rights of mentally ill people, such as protecting the right of mentally ill people to access public assistance benefits and housing programs. The state has also adopted administrative rules that protect the rights of mentally ill people, such as rules that protect mentally ill people from being placed in involuntary civil commitment. At both the federal and state levels, then, there are numerous legal protections for mentally ill people. These protections are designed to ensure that mentally ill individuals are treated fairly and have their basic rights respected.

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What are the legal protections for mentally ill people?

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