Institutional Rights and Civil Liberties
Our agency works to protect and advance the civil rights of people with disabilities, helps people with disabilities when their rights have been violated and seeks to ensure that people with disabilities have access to information about their rights.
Every individual is guaranteed certain rights under the United States Constitution, the Texas Constitution and other laws. Some of these rights include:
- The right to reasonably safe conditions of confinement, including access to adequate medical care and rehabilitation services
- The right to refuse medication and unwanted medical treatment
- The right to live in the most integrated setting
Some examples of our work in the area of protection and civil rights include:
- Investigating allegations of abuse, neglect or exploitation of people with disabilities
- Ensuring that restraint and seclusion are only used in compliance with laws, regulations and best practices
- Ensuring that the rights of individuals with disabilities who come into contact with law enforcement are protected
These resources are provided for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.
Featured Resources
Warehoused: Inappropriate Institutionalization of Texas Foster Youth
Learn about how foster youth were admitted for five- to seven-day emergency stays in psychiatric hospitals but then remained for months after professionals determined they were ready for discharge. Continue reading Warehoused: Inappropriate Institutionalization of Texas Foster Youth
Handouts
Nursing Facilities and COVID-19
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of Texas has temporarily modified some of the rights of nursing facility residents. This Q&A guide discusses many of the changes, including the care and treatment of residents. Continue reading Nursing Facilities and COVID-19
Your Legal Rights Under Emergency Commitment
This handout provides the information you need to know about your rights if you are taken to an in-patient mental health facility on an emergency commitment. Continue reading Your Legal Rights Under Emergency Commitment
Read more about Your Legal Rights Under Emergency Commitment.
Voluntary Patient Rights
This handout explains your rights when seeking voluntary inpatient mental health treatment. Continue reading Voluntary Patient Rights
Rights of People Receiving Involuntary Inpatient Mental Health Services
All people have certain basic legal rights, including people who have mental illness and people who are in mental health facilities. This handout summarizes those rights. Continue reading Rights of People Receiving Involuntary Inpatient Mental Health Services
Read more about Rights of People Receiving Involuntary Inpatient Mental Health Services.
Discharge Rights of Patients in Inpatient Mental Health Facilities
This handout explains what discharge is and the discharge planning rights for patients in inpatient mental health facilities. Continue reading Discharge Rights of Patients in Inpatient Mental Health Facilities
Read more about Discharge Rights of Patients in Inpatient Mental Health Facilities.
Restraint and Seclusion Guidelines: Rights of People Receiving Behavioral Interventions
If you are placed in a mental health facility, this handout has information you need to know about restraint and seclusion. Continue reading Restraint and Seclusion Guidelines: Rights of People Receiving Behavioral Interventions
Legally Adequate Consent
This handout explains the requirements of legally adequate consent under state law, when legally adequate consent is necessary and who is authorized to give the needed consent for a person with a disability. Continue reading Legally Adequate Consent
Suing a Government Entity for an Injury
This handout explains what you must do if you have been hurt by a governmental entity and are thinking about filing a lawsuit. Continue reading Suing a Government Entity for an Injury
How to Make a Complaint About Inpatient Mental Health Services
This handout tells you about the complaint process in state hospitals and state centers operated by the Texas Department of State Health Services (“TDSHS”). Continue reading How to Make a Complaint About Inpatient Mental Health Services
Read more about How to Make a Complaint About Inpatient Mental Health Services.
How to Make an Advance Directive
Texas law allows you to create a Declaration for Mental Health Treatment (Advance Directive) to control your mental health treatment in the event you become unable to make treatment decisions at a later date. Continue reading How to Make an Advance Directive
Disability Discrimination in Correctional Facilities
This handout provides information about possible agencies, complaint procedures and deadlines that often apply when a person with a disability has a complaint against a prison, jail or juvenile justice facility. Continue reading Disability Discrimination in Correctional Facilities
Read more about Disability Discrimination in Correctional Facilities.
Publications
How to Change Your Guardianship without a Lawyer
A guide to asking for a successor guardian or guardianship restoration, modification, and removal in Texas. Continue reading How to Change Your Guardianship without a Lawyer
External Links
- Consumer Rights and Services at the Texas Health and Human Services
- Guardianship Provider Handbook from Texas Health and Human Services
- How to file a complaint against a state-regulated facility
- Nursing Facility Rights Flyer
- Supported Decision Making Page - links to all DRTx resources
- Video - The PAIMI Council Speaks Out: Finding Your Voice
- Video - The PAIMI Council Speaks Out: Finding Your Voice (ASL VERSION)
- Your Rights in a State Supported Living Center
- Your Rights in an ICF/IDD
- Your Rights in Local Authority Services
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