# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 111E, sec. 18: Record of treatment; rights of patients > Massachusetts · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVI_C111E_S18 ## Section - **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 111E, sec. 18 - **Heading:** Record of treatment; rights of patients - **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** MA Code / Part I / Title XVI / Chapter 111E / Section 18 ## Text Section 18. (a) The administrator of each facility shall keep a record of treatment afforded each patient, which shall be confidential and shall only be made available upon judicial order, whether in connection with pending judicial proceedings or otherwise, where disclosure is authorized by section 408 of the Drug Abuse Office and Treatment Act of 1972 and 21 U.S.C. 1175 or, where disclosure is authorized with the informed consent of the patient. Such consent shall be in writing, shall be to the benefit of the patient, and shall be signed by the patient. Such consent shall state the name of the person or organization to whom the disclosure is to be made, the specific type of information to be disclosed, and the purpose or need for such disclosure. (b) Any patient shall have the right to have a physician retained by him examine him, consult privately with his attorney, receive visitors, and send and receive communications by mail, telephone and telegraph. Such communications shall not be censored or read without the consent of such patient. The foregoing shall not limit the right of the administrator, subject to reasonable rules and regulations of the division, to prescribe reasonable rules governing visiting hours and the use of telephone and telegraph facilities. (c) No patient may be detained in any facility, other than a penal facility, without his consent. (d) Insofar as is practicable, a written comprehensive, individualized treatment plan shall be kept by the administrator for each patient. (e) Each patient shall be entitled to receive adequate and appropriate treatment. Section 18. (a) The administrator of each facility shall keep a record of treatment afforded each patient, which shall be confidential and shall only be made available upon judicial order, whether in connection with pending judicial proceedings or otherwise, where disclosure is authorized by section 408 of the Drug Abuse Office and Treatment Act of 1972 and 21 U.S.C. 1175 or, where disclosure is authorized with the informed consent of the patient. Such consent shall be in writing, shall be to the benefit of the patient, and shall be signed by the patient. Such consent shall state the name of the person or organization to whom the disclosure is to be made, the specific type of information to be disclosed, and the purpose or need for such disclosure. (b) Any patient shall have the right to have a physician retained by him examine him, consult privately with his attorney, receive visitors, and send and receive communications by mail, telephone and telegraph. Such communications shall not be censored or read without the consent of such patient. The foregoing shall not limit the right of the administrator, subject to reasonable rules and regulations of the division, to prescribe reasonable rules governing visiting hours and the use of telephone and telegraph facilities. (c) No patient may be detained in any facility, other than a penal facility, without his consent. (d) Insofar as is practicable, a written comprehensive, individualized treatment plan shall be kept by the administrator for each patient. (e) Each patient shall be entitled to receive adequate and appropriate treatment. ## Nearby sections - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 111E, sec. 1 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVI_C111E_S1.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 111E, sec. 2 Division of drug rehabilitation; director; duties; appointments; employees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVI_C111E_S2.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 111E, sec. 4 Comprehensive plan for the treatment of drug dependent persons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVI_C111E_S4.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 111E, sec. 5 Comprehensive program for treatment of drug dependent persons; treatment facilities; annual report; list of facilities](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVI_C111E_S5.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 111E, sec. 6 Powers and duties of division](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVI_C111E_S6.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 111E, sec. 7 Licensing and approval of facilities](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVI_C111E_S7.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 111E, sec. 8 Admission to facilities; application; inpatient and outpatient treatment; discharge; readmission](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVI_C111E_S8.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 111E, sec. 9 Emergency treatment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVI_C111E_S9.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 111E, sec. 9A Incapacitated persons placed into protective custody without consent for transport to appropriate emergency medical treatment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVI_C111E_S9A.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 111E, sec. 10 Defendant charged with drug offense; request for examination; stay of proceedings; report of findings; assignment; hearing; discharge or transfer; quarterly reports; juveniles; review](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVI_C111E_S10.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 111E, sec. 11 Defendant charged with other than drug offense; request for examination; evidence; report; treatment; consent; hearing; order](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVI_C111E_S11.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 111E, sec. 12 Probation of drug dependent persons; treatment; urinalysis program; reports](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVI_C111E_S12.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 111E, sec. 13 Juveniles and youthful offenders; examination; admission; inpatient or outpatient treatment; report; department of youth services; jurisdiction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVI_C111E_S13.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 111E, sec. 13A Children referred by department of children and families or juvenile court; examination; report; treatment; jurisdiction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVI_C111E_S13A.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVI_C111E_S18. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.