42 U.S.C. § 10801 : US Code - Section 10801: Congressional findings and statement of purpose

Search 42 U.S.C. § 10801 : US Code - Section 10801: Congressional findings and statement of purpose

(a) The Congress finds that - 
(1) individuals with mental illness are vulnerable to abuse and
serious injury;
(2) family members of individuals with mental illness play a
crucial role in being advocates for the rights of individuals
with mental illness where the individuals are minors, the
individuals are legally competent and choose to involve the
family members, and the individuals are legally incompetent and
the legal guardians, conservators, or other legal representatives
are members of the family;
(3) individuals with mental illness are subject to neglect,
including lack of treatment, adequate nutrition, clothing, health
care, and adequate discharge planning; and
(4) State systems for monitoring compliance with respect to the
rights of individuals with mental illness vary widely and are
frequently inadequate.
(b) The purposes of this chapter are - 
(1) to ensure that the rights of individuals with mental
illness are protected; and
(2) to assist States to establish and operate a protection and
advocacy system for individuals with mental illness which will - 
(A) protect and advocate the rights of such individuals
through activities to ensure the enforcement of the
Constitution and Federal and State statutes; and
(B) investigate incidents of abuse and neglect of individuals
with mental illness if the incidents are reported to the system
or if there is probable cause to believe that the incidents
occurred.