(405 ILCS 5/4-704) (from Ch. 91 1/2, par. 4-704)

Sec. 4-704. (a) At least 14 days prior to the discharge of a client from a Department developmental disabilities facility under Section 4-701 or 4-702, the facility director shall give written notice of the discharge to the client, if he is 12 years of age or older, to his attorney and guardian, if any, to the person who executed the application for admission and to the resident school district when appropriate. The notice, except that to the school district, shall include the reason for the discharge and a statement of the right to object.

(b) The client, if he is 12 years of age or older, may object to his discharge or the attorney or guardian of a client or the person who executed the application may object on behalf of a client. Prior to discharge a written objection shall be submitted to the facility director of the facility where the client is located. Upon receipt of an objection, the facility director shall promptly schedule a hearing to be held at the facility within 7 days pursuant to Section 4-209. No discharge shall proceed pending hearing on an objection, unless the person objecting to the discharge consents to discharge pending the hearing.

(c) At the hearing the Department shall have the burden of proving that the client meets the standard for discharge under this Chapter and under Section 15 of the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. If the utilization review committee finds that the Department has sustained its burden and that the proposed discharge is based upon substantial evidence, it shall recommend that the discharge proceed. If the utilization review committee does not so find, it shall recommend that the client not be discharged but it may recommend that the client be transferred to another facility which can provide habilitation appropriate to the condition and needs of the client. It may recommend that the Department or other agency assist the person in obtaining such appropriate habilitation.

(Source: P.A. 89-507, eff. 7-1-97.)