Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 79.djvu/792

 752

"us'^c*'io^^i^' note.

PUBLIC LAW 89-183-SEPT. 14, 1965

[79 STAT.

Jud^e of the court, so that at any one time the Commission shall consist of the Chairman and two physician-members. Physicianmembers of the Commission may practice their profession during their tenure of office, but may not participate in the disposition of the case of a person in which they have rendered professional service or advice. (d) The court shall also appoint an alternate lawyer-member of the Commission who shall have the same qualifications as the lawyermember of the Commission and who shall serve on a part-time basis and act as Chairman in the absence of the permanent Chairman. (e) The salaries of the members of the Commission and its employees shall be fixed in accordance with the provisions of the Classification Act of 1949, as amended. The alternate Chairman shall be paid on a per diem basis at the same rate of compensation as fixed for the permanent Chairman. §21-503. Examinations and hearings; subpenas; witnesses; place (a) The Commission shall examine alleged mentally ill persons, inquire into their affairs and the affairs of persons who may be legally liable for their support, and make reports and recommendations to the court. (b) Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, the Commission may conduct its examinations and hearings either at the courthouse or elsewhere at its discretion. The court may issue subpenas at the request of the Commission returnable before the Commission, for the appearance of the alleged mentally ill person, witnesses, and persons who may be liable for his support. The Commission, or any of the members thereof, are competent and compellable witnesses at any trial, hearing, or other proceeding conducted pursuant to this chapter and the physician-patient privilege is not applicable. Subchapter II—Voluntary and Nonprotesting Hospitalization § 21-511. Voluntary hospitalization A person may apply to a public or private hospital in the District of Columbia for admission to the hospital as a voluntary patient for the purposes of observation, diagnosis, and care and treatment of a mental illness. Upon the request of such a person 18 years of age or over, or, in the case of a person under 18 years of age, of his spouse, parent, or legal guardian, the administrator of the public hospital to which application is made shall, if an examination by an admitting psychiatrist reveals the need for hospitalization, or the administrator of the private hospital to which application is made may, admit the person as a voluntary patient to the hospital for the purposes described by this section, in a<xordance with this chapter. § 21-512. Release of voluntary patients (a) A voluntary patient admitted to a hospital pursuant to section 21-511 may, at any time, if he is 18 years of age or over, obtain his release from the hospital by filing a written request with the chief of service. Within a period of 48 hours after the receipt of the request, the chief of service shall release the patient making the request. A voluntary patient under 18 years of age, so admitted, may, at any time, obtain his release from the hospital in the same manner, upon the written request of his spouse, parent, or legal guardian. (b) When the chief of service determines that a voluntary patient hospitalized pursuant to section 21-511 has recovered or that continued hospitalization of the patient is no longer beneficial to him, or advisable, the chief of service may release him from the hospital.

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