Admission upon written application; right of release. A person in a place specified by section 21-902 may, upon his written application, be admitted for observation and diagnosis to Saint Elizabeths Hospital in the discretion of the Superintendent of the hospital for a period not exceeding 30 days. If, after admission to Saint Elizabeths Hospital, he expresses a desire for release from the hospital, he shall be released within 72 hours thereafter, unless proceedings for his adjudication as a person with a mental illness have been instituted as provided for by section 21-906 . (Sept. 14, 1965, 79 Stat. 764, Pub. L. 89-183, § 1; Sept. 26, 2012, D.C. Law 19-169, § 21(d)(5), 59 DCR 5567.) Prior Codifications 1981 Ed., § 21-904. 1973 Ed., § 21-904. Section References This section is referenced in § 21-903, § 21-906, and § 21-909. Effect of Amendments The 2012 amendment by D.C. Law 19-169 substituted 'person with mental illness' for 'mentally ill person' in the second sentence Editor's Notes Section 35 of D.C. Law 19-169 provided that no provision of the act shall impair any right or obligation existing under law. Section 35 of D.C. tally ill person' in the second sentence Editor's Notes Section 35 of D.C. Law 19-169 provided that no provision of the act shall impair any right or obligation existing under law. Section 35 of D.C. Law 19-169 provided that no provision of the act shall impair any right or obligation existing under law.
District of Columbia Legal Code