FAQs Archive - Mental Health Association of Alameda County

Q: What is Legally Considered Good Cause for Denial of Patients Rights?

Some rights can only be denied if “Good Cause” exists. The facility must show it has good reason to believe that there is “good cause” because: The exercise of the right would be injurious to the patient, or; It would seriously infringe on the rights of others, or; The facility would suffer serious damage if the right is not denied; And there is no less restrictive way of protecting these three interests.

Q: WHAT ARE THE RIGHTS THAT MAY BE DENIED FOR GOOD CAUSE (W&I CODE §5325)?

The professional person in charge of the facility or their designee may, for good cause, deny any of the following rights: The right to wear one’s own clothing. The right to keep and use one’s own personal possessions, including toilet articles, in a place accessible to the patient. The right to keep and spend a reasonable sum of one’s money for small purchases. The right to have access to individual storage space for the person’s private use. The right to see visitors each day. The right to have reasonable access to telephones, both to make and receive confidential calls or to have such calls made for them. The right to have ready access to letter-writing materials, including stamps and to send and receive unopened mail and correspondence.