IL SB0209

Permits persons age 16 and older, including those adjudicated as disabled persons, to voluntarily admit themselves to mental health facilities if the facility director determines they are clinically suitable and have capacity to consent to admission.

Requires facility directors to document in the patient's medical record their determination that the person meets capacity standards, including understanding they are being admitted to a mental health facility and may request discharge at any time.

Mandates that written discharge requests be acted upon within 5 business days, with the facility required to either discharge the person or initiate commitment proceedings.

Prohibits guardians of disabled persons from admitting wards to mental health facilities except at the ward's request and only if the ward has the capacity to consent as defined in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code.

Amends the Probate Act to clarify that guardians cannot unilaterally commit wards to mental health facilities, protecting the rights of disabled persons to make their own voluntary admission decisions.