AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO VOLUNTARY ADMISSIONS.

New psychiatric admission rules for state-custody youth

The law expands who can approve voluntary psychiatric care for Delaware youth under 18. Parents or legal guardians retain authority to consent to treatment and sign admission requests for designated facilities or hospitals. For youth in Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families custody under Chapter 25 of Title 13, additional officials can act. These are the Division of Family Services Director, Deputy Director, or their designee. Designees act only with direct approval from the Director or Deputy Director. Patients, parents or guardians, and these officials or designees can request discharge in writing from the attending psychiatrist at any time. Discharge may require consent from the parent, guardian, or authorized child services representative. When discharge is requested against the treatment team’s advice, the facility may start involuntary treatment procedures.