PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on HELP.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 25, 1999
Compassionate Care Act of 1999 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require hospitals and other health care facilities that receive Federal assistance in any form to protect the rights of their patients and residents, including freedom from physical or mental abuse, corporal punishment, involuntary seclusion, and physical or chemical restraints used for punishment or convenience. Permits use of physical or chemical restraints only to ensure the physical safety of a patient or resident, or others, and only upon a physician's specific written order. Requires a facility subject to the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986 to notify the appropriate Protection and Advocacy system of each resident's death and related circumstances. Amends the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 1986 to require a State protection system for the mentally ill to investigate certain deaths and injuries at such facilities. Subjects facilities to loss of Federal assistance for noncompliance with this Act.
People & committees
Sen. Dodd, Christopher J. [D-CT] · D–CT
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on HELP.
Introduced in Senate
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Source last updated: Feb 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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