The superintendent of any facility housing persons detained or committed pursuant to this chapter may, subject to the approval of the secretary, grant escorted leaves of absence to residents confined in such institutions to:

(1) Go to the bedside of the resident's wife, husband, child, mother or father, or other member of the resident's immediate family who is seriously ill;

(2) Attend the funeral of a member of the resident's immediate family listed in subsection (1) of this section; and

(3) Receive necessary medical or dental care which is not available in the institution.