Mental health laws are in place to protect the rights of individuals with mental health conditions, ensure that they receive appropriate treatment, and prevent them from harming themselves or others.

The Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 is the primary federal law that addresses mental health parity, ensuring that group health plans provide coverage for mental health conditions that is equal to the coverage provided for physical health conditions.

Civil commitment is the legal process by which an individual is involuntarily admitted to a mental health facility for treatment and evaluation.

The principle of parens patriae allows the state to act as the guardian of individuals who are unable to make decisions for themselves, including those with mental health conditions.

The legal standard that must be met before an individual can be involuntarily committed to a mental health facility is clear and convincing evidence, which is a higher standard than the preponderance of the evidence but lower than beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is the primary federal law that protects the privacy of mental health records.

Informed consent is the legal process of obtaining consent from an individual before providing mental health treatment, ensuring that the individual understands the risks, benefits, and alternatives to the treatment.

The principle of beneficence allows for the involuntary administration of psychotropic medication to an individual with a mental health condition if it is deemed to be in their best interest.

The right to refuse treatment is the legal right of an individual to refuse mental health treatment, even if it is recommended by a healthcare professional.

The principle of parens patriae allows for the involuntary commitment of an individual to a mental health facility for the purpose of evaluation if it is deemed to be in their best interest.

Competency evaluation is the legal process of determining whether an individual has the capacity to make decisions about their own mental health treatment.

The principle of substituted judgment allows for the involuntary administration of psychotropic medication to an individual with a mental health condition who is deemed to be incompetent, if it is deemed to be in their best interest.

Restoration of rights is the legal process of restoring the rights of an individual who has been involuntarily committed to a mental health facility.

The principle of beneficence allows for the involuntary commitment of an individual to a mental health facility for the purpose of treatment if it is deemed to be in their best interest.

Dangerousness assessment is the legal process of determining whether an individual is a danger to themselves or others.