international human rights legislation has been tabled in the House of Assembly.

And the Mental Health Amendment Bill aims to transfer powers currently held by the Governor to the Minister for Health and Family Services.

The bill -- if passed -- will also allow a patient to be detained in any hospital for 72 hours, instead of just a psychiatric one.

And a provision for a voluntarily-admitted patient which required 72 hours notice has been dropped, although voluntary patients can still be detained for the same length of time if a doctor submits a recommendation in writing to the Bermuda Hospitals Board.

And a nurse -- if a doctor is not immediately available -- can ensure a patient is detained for three hours after requesting discharge if it is felt their mental disorder is severe enough that they, or others, might be put at risk.

Patients admitted under an application for admission for assessment can be kept in hospital for up to 28 days, with extensions possible if psychiatrists feel that is necessary.

But patients cannot be detained without a written report from a mental welfare officer stating that the patient that the treatment which a patient needs cannot be provided without detention -- a condition of compulsory treatment.

But patients who are subject to a restriction order to detain them in hospital will have the right of appeal against the decision.

And the definition of "nearest relative'' has been changed to allow priority to those relatives who normally live with the patient.

That clause also rules out treating someone who is not a blood relative to be treated as such for the purposes of the Act.