Alaska Statutes: AS 47.30.840. Right to Privacy and Personal Possessions.

Alaska Statutes. Title 47. Welfare, Social Services and Institutions Chapter 30. Mental Health Section 840. Right to Privacy and Personal Possessions.

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AS 47.30.840. Right to Privacy and Personal Possessions.

(a) A person undergoing evaluation or treatment under AS 47.30.660 - 47.30.915

(1) may not be photographed without the person's consent and that of the person's guardian if a minor, except that the person may be photographed upon admission to a facility for identification and for administrative purposes of the facility; all photographs shall be confidential and may only be released by the facility to the patient or the patient's designee unless a court orders otherwise;

(2) at the time of admission to an evaluation or treatment facility, shall have reasonable precautions taken by the staff to inventory and safeguard the patient's personal property; a copy of the inventory signed by the staff member making it shall be given to the patient and made available to the patient's attorney and any other person authorized by the patient to inspect the document;

(3) shall have access to an individual storage space for the patient's private use while undergoing evaluation or treatment;

(4) shall be permitted to wear personal clothing, to keep and use personal possessions including toilet articles if they are not considered unsafe for the patient or other patients who might have access to them, and to keep and be allowed to spend a reasonable sum of the patient's own money for the patient's needs and comfort;

(5) shall be allowed to have visitors at reasonable times;

(6) shall have ready access to letter writing materials, including stamps, and have the right to send and receive unopened mail;

(7) shall have reasonable access to a telephone, both to make and receive confidential calls;

(8) has the right to be free of corporal punishment;

(9) has the right to reasonable opportunity for indoor and outdoor exercise and recreation;

(10) has the right, at any time, to have a telephone conversation with or be visited by an attorney;

(11) may not be retaliated against or subjected to any adverse change of conditions or treatment solely because of assertion of rights under this section.
(b) The patient's rights under (a)(4), (5), (7) and (9) of this section may be suspended temporarily, following the initial evaluation period, if the professional person in charge of the patient determines that granting the patient those rights will pose a threat to the safety or well-being of the patient or others.

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