HB 222 (formerly HB 44, HB 187) establishes a secure treatment facility for individuals with developmental disabilities. In creating this treatment facility, the Department of Health and Welfare would restrict certain rights for patients – including communication and visitor access to legal guardians or immediate family members, as well as access to personal property. This bill also gives discretion to the Director of the Dept. of Health & Welfare and the director of the facility to determine who is admitted to the secure treatment facility and when they will be discharged, without satisfactory safeguards. This raises concerns that patients could be admitted to the secure facility – resulting in a loss of patient rights – unnecessarily and/or that they are detained longer than reasonably necessary.

Sponsors

Idaho Department of Health & Welfare

Status

Passed House

Session

2017

Bill number

HB 187

Position

Oppose