(a) A person in need of treatment or anyone engaging in substance abuse may request voluntary treatment from a licensed treatment facility. If the applicant is a person who is incompetent or a minor under 14 years of age, a parent, legal custodian, relative caregiver or legal guardian shall make the request for voluntary treatment and give written consent for treatment. (b) If a minor is 14 years of age or over, then either the minor, or a parent, legal custodian, relative caregiver or legal guardian may give written consent to a treatment facility for voluntary treatment for nonresidential treatment. In the case of residential treatment, consent to treatment shall be given only by a parent, custodian, relative caregiver or legal guardian. Consent so given by a minor 14 years of age or over shall, notwithstanding the minor's minority, be valid and fully effective for all purposes regardless of whether such minor's substance abuse is subsequently medically confirmed and shall be binding upon such minor, the minor's parents, custodian, relative caregiver and legal guardian as effectively as if the minor were of full legal age at the time of giving such written consent. Consent so given shall not be subject to later denial or disclaimer, and the consent of no other person or court shall be necessary for the treatment rendered such minor. (c) Subject to regulations adopted by the Secretary, or in the case of a treatment program for minors, the Secretary of the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families, an administrator of a treatment facility may determine who shall be admitted for treatment. If a person is refused admission to a facility, the Division, subject to the rules adopted by the Secretary, shall refer the person to another facility for treatment if available and appropriate. (d) If a voluntary patient requests or attempts to leave a treatment facility against the advice of the treatment team and administrator of the facility, the facility may initiate involuntary treatment procedures as provided for under this chapter. If the patient is a minor or is incompetent, the request for discharge against advice shall be made by a parent, custodian, relative caregiver, legal guardian or other appropriate legal representative, and the provisions of this subsection shall apply as if the patient had made the request.
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