Bill Text: CA AB2352 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Amended

California Assembly Bill 2352

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

Bill Title: Mental health and psychiatric advance directives.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed) 2024-05-22 - In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. [AB2352 Detail]

Download: California-2023-AB2352-Amended.html

Amended IN Assembly April 10, 2024

Amended IN Assembly March 21, 2024

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 2352

Introduced by Assembly Member Irwin

February 12, 2024

An act to amend Sections 1302.5, 1800.3, 1836, 2356, 3211, 4672, 4673, 4674, 4676, 4677, 4679, 4695, 4696, 4698, 4701, 4731, 4740, 4742, 4750, 4800, 4802, 4803, 4804, 4805, and 4806 of, to amend the heading of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 4670) of Part 2 of Division 4.7 of, and to add Section 4634 to, the Probate Code, and to amend Sections 391, 5008, 5150, 5346, 5350, 5354, 5585.20, 5971, 5977.3, 5980, 5981, 5982, 16501.1, and 21001 of, and to amend the heading of Division 5 (commencing with Section 5000) of, the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to health care decisions.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 2352, as amended, Irwin. Behavioral health and psychiatric advance directives.

(1) Existing law establishes the requirements for executing a written advance health care directive that is legally sufficient to direct health care decisions. Existing law provides a form that an individual may use or modify to create an advance health care directive. Under existing law, a written advance health care directive is legally sufficient if specified requirements are satisfied, may be revoked by a patient having capacity at any time, and is revoked to the extent of a conflict with a later executed directive. Existing law requires a supervising health care provider who knows of the existence of an advance health care directive or its revocation to record that fact in the patient’s health record. Existing law sets forth requirements of witnesses to a written advance health care directive. A written advance health care directive or similar instrument executed in another jurisdiction is valid and enforceable in this state under existing law. A person who intentionally falsifies, forges, conceals, defaces, or obliterates an individual’s advance health care directive or its revocation without the individual’s consent is subject to liability of up to $10,000 or actual damages, whichever is greater, plus reasonable attorney’s fees.

Existing law authorizes an appeal of specified orders relating to an advance health care directive. Existing law generally prohibits involuntary civil placement of a ward, conservatee, or person with capacity in a mental health treatment facility, subject to a valid and effective advance health care directive. Existing law prohibits specified entities, including a provider, health care service plan, or insurer, from requiring or prohibiting the execution or revocation of an advance health care directive as a condition for providing health care, admission to a facility, or furnishing insurance. Existing law requires the Secretary of State to establish a registry system for written advance health care directives, but failure to register does not affect the directive’s validity and registration does not affect a registrant’s ability to revoke the directive.

Under existing law, an advance psychiatric directive is a legal document, executed on a voluntary basis by a person who has the capacity to make medical decisions and in accordance with the requirements for an advance health care directive, that allows a person with mental illness to protect their autonomy and ability to direct their own care by documenting their preferences for treatment in advance of a mental health crisis. An individual may execute both an advance health care directive and a voluntary standalone psychiatric advance directive.

This bill would extend the above-described advance health care directive provisions to psychiatric advance directives and would make conforming changes. The bill would specify that a psychiatric advance directive is a self-directed instruction with a chosen health care advocate, to be accessed during a behavioral health crisis or time when a person may or may not have capacity. The bill would require a psychiatric advance directive to be in written or digital form. legal written or digital document, executed as specified, that allows a person with behavioral health illness to document their preferences for treatment and identify a health care advocate in advance of a behavioral health crisis. Under the bill, a written or digital psychiatric advance directive may include the individual’s nomination of a health care advocate who is in agreement to uphold the person’s preferences for treatment in the case of a behavioral health crisis. If the health care advocate is informed of the directive’s revocation, the bill would require them to promptly communicate that fact to the supervising health care provider and any health care institution where the patient is receiving care. The bill would specify that a psychiatric advance directive is legally sufficient if it contains the date of its execution and is signed by the ~~individual and~~ individual, their health care advocate or another ~~individual, as specified.~~ adult in the individual’s presence and at the individual’s direction, and one additional, unrelated witness.

(2) Existing law requires a court determining whether to grant or deny a conservatorship petition to consider the person’s abilities and capacities with current and possible supports. Existing law requires the Judicial Council’s conservatorship alternatives program to provide information relating to less restrictive alternatives to conservatorship.

This bill would specify that a person’s current and possible supports to be considered by a court in a conservatorship determination include psychiatric advance directives and health care advocates. The bill would specify that less restrictive alternatives to conservatorship include psychiatric advance directives for purposes of the conservatorship alternatives program.

(3) Existing law sets forth various requirements and procedures for mental health treatment, community mental health services, and for a person with a psychiatric advance directive that allows a person with mental illness to protect their autonomy and ability to direct their own care by documenting their preferences for treatment in advance of a mental health crisis. Existing law requires directions in an advance health care directive to be considered in formulating a written treatment plan for a person who is the subject of a petition for involuntary treatment.

This bill would revise various “mental health” and “mental illness” statutory references to instead use the term “behavioral health.” The bill would require a designated facility evaluating if a patient is in need of involuntary behavioral health services to keep a record that includes if the person detained has an advance health care directive or a psychiatric advance directive. If a person who is the subject of a petition for involuntary treatment has a psychiatric advance directive, the bill would require directions in that directive to be considered in formulating their written treatment plan.

Existing law authorizes a person experiencing a serious mental disorder who meets specified criteria to be a respondent in a CARE plan to provide an individualized, appropriate range of community-based services and supports. Existing law authorizes the respondent to designate a supporter to assist them to understand, make, communicate, implement, or act on their own life decisions during the CARE process, and sets forth the duties of a supporter.

This bill would authorize a psychiatric advance directive to be part of a CARE plan. The bill would specify that a supporter may be designated when a health care advocate has not been chosen. The bill would require a supporter to provide information to the respondent about advance health care directives or psychiatric advance directives and would authorize the supporter to be present in a meeting, proceeding, or communication relating to interacting or communicating with the chosen health care advocate. The bill would prohibit a supporter from creating a psychiatric advance directive without explicit authorization by the respondent with capacity.

(4) Existing law establishes a statewide system of child welfare services and foster care. Existing law requires a caseworker or probation officer and representatives of a participant in the foster care system to provide the youth or nonminor dependent with assistance and support to develop a written plan with options in the 90-day period before the participant transitions out of the system.

Existing law establishes the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which is permitted to adjudge children who have suffered abuse or neglect to be dependents of the court under certain circumstances, and prescribes various hearings and other procedures for these purposes. Existing law requires a county welfare department to submit a report verifying that certain information, documents, and services, including an advance health care directive form, have been provided to a dependent child.

This bill would specify that the 90-day transition plan may include options for creating a psychiatric advance directive and choosing a health care advocate, as well as information regarding the psychiatric advance directive written or digital form. The bill would require a county welfare department to provide a dependent child with an advance health care directive or psychiatric advance directive written or digital form. By increasing the duties of county welfare departments, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

(5) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 1302.5 of the Probate Code is amended to read:

1302.5.

With respect to an advance health care directive or psychiatric advance directive governed by the Health Care Decisions Law (Division 4.7 (commencing with Section 4600)), an appeal may be taken from any of the following:

(a) Any final order under Section 4766.

(b) An order dismissing the petition or denying a motion to dismiss under Section 4768.

SEC. 2.

Section 1800.3 of the Probate Code is amended to read:

1800.3.

(a) If the need therefor is established to the satisfaction of the court and the other requirements of this chapter are satisfied, the court may appoint:

(1) A conservator of the person or estate of an adult, or both.

(2) A conservator of the person of a minor who is married or whose marriage has been dissolved.

(b) A conservatorship of the person or of the estate shall not be granted by the court unless the court makes an express finding that the granting of the conservatorship is the least restrictive alternative needed for the protection of the conservatee.

(c) In determining whether a conservatorship is the least restrictive alternative available, and whether to grant or deny a conservatorship petition, the court shall consider the person’s abilities and capacities with current and possible supports, including, but not limited to, supported decisionmaking agreements, psychiatric advance directives, as defined in Section 4679, and health care advocates, as defined in Section 21001 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, powers of attorney, designation of a health care surrogate as set forth in Section 4711, and advance health care directives.

(d) If the court becomes aware that the proposed conservatee has a developmental disability, and the proposed conservator is not seeking authority to act under Section 2356.5, the court shall deem the proceeding to be seeking a limited conservatorship.

SEC. 3.

Section 1836 of the Probate Code is amended to read:

1836.

(a) Upon appropriation by the Legislature, the Judicial Council shall establish a conservatorship alternatives program within each self-help center in every state ~~Superior Court.~~ superior court.

(b) The purposes of the conservatorship alternatives program are:

(1) To provide information relating to less restrictive alternatives to conservatorship, including, but not limited to, supported decisionmaking agreements and psychiatric advance directives, as defined in Section ~~21001 of the Welfare and Institutions Code,~~ 4679, to interested individuals.

(2) To educate interested individuals on less restrictive alternatives to conservatorship that may be appropriate, and to provide assistance in considering and implementing those alternatives.

(c) Each court’s conservatorship alternatives program shall include staff who provide information and resources to interested individuals about less restrictive alternatives to conservatorship.

(d) The conservatorship alternatives program shall operate as follows:

(1) Any interested individual who contacts a superior court self-help center to inquire about conservatorship proceedings or to request documents to petition for a conservatorship shall be advised of the conservatorship alternatives program.

(2) The conservatorship alternatives program shall be a component of each superior court’s self-help center.

(3) Conservatorship alternatives program staff shall be trained in less restrictive alternatives to conservatorship and shall be available to meet, through in-person or remote means, with interested individuals to provide education and resources on supported decisionmaking agreements, psychiatric advance directives, and other less restrictive alternatives to conservatorship, and to provide resources to assist people who wish to implement or establish those alternatives.

(4) Conservatorship alternatives program staff shall be able to provide the following to interested individuals:

(A) Practical resources, information, and documents to establish and implement alternatives to conservatorship, including powers of attorney, advance health care directives, psychiatric advance directives, and supported decisionmaking agreements.

(B) Technical support and education on these alternatives, including assistance in filling out any associated paperwork and in understanding these alternatives.

(5) Interactions or communication with the CAP Program shall not be used as evidence of incapacity or introduced for any other reason in a conservatorship proceeding under this division unless introduced by the conservatee or proposed conservatee.

SEC. 4.

Section 2356 of the Probate Code is amended to read:

2356.

(a) A ward or conservatee shall not be placed in a behavioral health treatment facility under this division against the ward’s or conservatee’s will. Involuntary civil placement of a ward or conservatee in a behavioral health treatment facility may be obtained only pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 5150) or Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 5350) of Part 1 of Division 5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. Nothing in this subdivision precludes the placing of a ward in a state hospital under Section 6000 of the Welfare and Institutions Code upon application of the guardian as provided in that section.

(b) An experimental drug as defined in Section 111515 of the Health and Safety Code shall not be prescribed for or administered to a ward or conservatee under this division. An experimental drug may be prescribed for or administered to a ward or conservatee only as provided in Article 4 (commencing with Section 111515) of Chapter 6 of Part 5 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code.

(c) Convulsive treatment as defined in Section 5325 of the Welfare and Institutions Code shall not be performed on a ward or conservatee under this division. Convulsive treatment may be performed on a ward or conservatee only as provided in Article 7 (commencing with Section 5325) of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(d) A minor shall not be sterilized under this division.

(e) This chapter is subject to a valid and effective advance health care directive or psychiatric advance directive under the Health Care Decisions Law (Division 4.7 (commencing with Section 4600)).

SEC. 5.

Section 3211 of the Probate Code is amended to read:

3211.

(a) A person shall not be placed in a behavioral health treatment facility under this part.

(b) An experimental drug, as defined in Section 111515 of the Health and Safety Code, shall not be prescribed for or administered to any person under this part.

(c) A convulsive treatment, as defined in Section 5325 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, shall not be performed on any person under this part.

(d) A person shall not be sterilized under this part.

(e) The provisions of this part are subject to a valid advance health care directive or psychiatric advance directive under the Health Care Decisions Law, Division 4.7 (commencing with Section 4600).

SEC. 6.

Section 4634 is added to the Probate Code, to read:

4634.

“Psychiatric advance directive” or “PAD” means a self-directed instruction with a chosen health care advocate, to be accessed during a behavioral health crisis or time when a person may or may not have capacity. A PAD does not include power of attorney for health care and may be a standalone document. has the same meaning as defined in Section 4679.

SEC. 7.

The heading of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 4670) of Part 2 of Division 4.7 of the Probate Code is amended to read:

CHAPTER 1. Advance Health Care and Psychiatric Advance Directives

SEC. 8.

Section 4672 of the Probate Code is amended to read:

4672.

(a) A written advance health care directive may include the individual’s nomination of a conservator of the person or estate or both, or a guardian of the person or estate or both, for consideration by the court if protective proceedings for the individual’s person or estate are thereafter commenced.

(b) If the protective proceedings are conservatorship proceedings in this state, the nomination has the effect provided in Section 1810 and the court shall give effect to the most recent writing executed in accordance with Section 1810, whether or not the writing is a written advance health care directive.

(c) A written or digital psychiatric advance directive may include the individual’s nomination of a health care advocate, as defined in Section 21001 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

SEC. 9.

Section 4673 of the Probate Code is amended to read:

4673.

(a) A written advance health care directive is legally sufficient if all of the following requirements are satisfied:

(1) The advance directive contains the date of its execution.

(2) The advance directive is signed either by the patient or in the patient’s name by another adult in the patient’s presence and at the patient’s direction.

(3) The advance directive is either acknowledged before a notary public or signed by at least two witnesses who satisfy the requirements of Sections 4674 and 4675.

(b) A psychiatric advance directive is legally sufficient if ~~both~~ all of the following requirements are satisfied:

(1) The psychiatric advance directive contains the date of its execution.

(2) The psychiatric advance directive is signed by the individual and, if a health care advocate is chosen, signed by the health care advocate acknowledging and accepting appointment, or, if a health care advocate is not identified, signed by one additional ~~individual.~~ adult in the individual’s presence and at the individual’s direction.

(3) The psychiatric advance directive is signed by one additional witness who is not related to the individual. Notwithstanding subdivision (c) of Section 4674, the additional witness may be an employee or contractor of a behavioral health plan.

(c) An electronic or digital advance health care directive, psychiatric advance directive, or power of attorney for health care is legally sufficient if the requirements in subdivision (a) are satisfied, except that for the purposes of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a), an acknowledgment before a notary public shall be required, and if a digital signature is used, it meets all of the following requirements:

(1) The digital signature either meets the requirements of Section 16.5 of the Government Code and Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 22000) of Division 7 of Title 2 of the California Code of Regulations or the digital signature uses an algorithm approved by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

(2) The digital signature is unique to the person using it.

(3) The digital signature is capable of verification.

(4) The digital signature is under the sole control of the person using it.

(5) The digital signature is linked to data in such a manner that if the data are changed, the digital signature is invalidated.

(6) The digital signature persists with the document and not by association in separate files.

(7) The digital signature is bound to a digital certificate.

SEC. 10.

Section 4674 of the Probate Code is amended to read:

4674.

If the written advance health care directive or psychiatric advance directive is signed by witnesses, as provided in Section 4673, the following requirements shall be satisfied:

(a) The witnesses shall be adults.

(b) Each witness signing the advance directive or psychiatric advance directive shall witness either the signing of the advance directive or psychiatric advance directive by the patient or the patient’s acknowledgment of the signature or the advance directive or psychiatric advance directive.

(1) The patient’s health care provider or an employee of the patient’s health care provider.

(2) The operator or an employee of a community care facility.

(3) The operator or an employee of a residential care facility for the elderly.

(4) The agent, where the advance directive is a power of attorney for health care.

(d) Each witness shall make the following declaration in substance:

“I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of California (1) that the individual who signed or acknowledged this advance health care directive or psychiatric advance directive is personally known to me, or that the individual’s identity was proven to me by convincing evidence, (2) that the individual signed or acknowledged this advance directive or psychiatric advance directive in my presence, (3) that the individual appears to be of sound mind and under no duress, fraud, or undue influence, (4) that I am not a person appointed as surrogate by this advance directive or psychiatric advance directive, and (5) that I am not the individual’s health care provider, an employee of the individual’s health care provider, the operator of a community care facility, an employee of an operator of a community care facility, the operator of a residential care facility for the elderly, nor an employee of an operator of a residential care facility for the elderly.”

(e) At least one of the witnesses shall be an individual who is neither related to the patient by blood, marriage, or adoption, nor entitled to any portion of the patient’s estate upon the patient’s death under a will existing when the advance directive is executed or by operation of law then existing.

(f) A written psychiatric advance directive shall ~~be signed by the assigned health care advocate or, if an advocate has not been assigned, signed by one witness who is not related to the patient.~~ meet the requirements of subdivision (b) of Section 4673.

(g) The witness satisfying the requirement of subdivision (e) shall also sign the following declaration in substance:

“I further declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of California that I am not related to the individual executing this advance health care directive or psychiatric advance directive by blood, marriage, or adoption, and, to the best of my knowledge, I am not entitled to any part of the individual’s estate upon his or her death under a will now existing or by operation of law.”

(h) The provisions of this section applicable to witnesses do not apply to a notary public before whom an advance health care directive is acknowledged.

SEC. 11.

Section 4676 of the Probate Code is amended to read:

4676.

(a) A written advance health care directive, written or digital psychiatric advance directive, or similar instrument executed in another state or jurisdiction in compliance with the laws of that state or jurisdiction or of this state, is valid and enforceable in this state to the same extent as a written advance directive or psychiatric advance directive validly executed in this state.

(b) In the absence of knowledge to the contrary, a physician or other health care provider may presume that a written advance health care directive, written or digital psychiatric advance directive, or similar instrument, whether executed in another state or jurisdiction or in this state, is valid.

SEC. 12.

Section 4677 of the Probate Code is amended to read:

4677.

A health care provider, health care service plan, health care institution, disability insurer, self-insured employee welfare plan, or nonprofit hospital plan or a similar insurance plan may not require or prohibit the execution or revocation of an advance health care directive or psychiatric advance directive as a condition for providing health care, admission to a facility, or furnishing insurance.

SEC. 13.

Section 4679 of the Probate Code is amended to read:

4679.

(a) (1) This chapter does not prohibit the execution of a voluntary standalone psychiatric advance directive.

(2) As used in this chapter, “psychiatric advance directive” means a legal written or digital document, executed on a voluntary basis in accordance with the requirements for the directive in this division by a person who has the capacity to make physical and behavioral health decisions, that allows a person with behavioral health illness to protect their autonomy and ability to direct their own care by documenting their preferences for ~~treatment~~ treatment, other than treatments identified in Section 4652, and identifying a health care ~~advocate~~ advocate, if chosen, in advance of a behavioral health crisis. A psychiatric advance directive does not include power of attorney for health care and may be a standalone document.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature to promote the use of a psychiatric advance directive, subject to the requirements of this division, by a person who wants to make sure their health care providers know their treatment preferences in the event of a future behavioral health crisis.

(1) Research has demonstrated that the use of psychiatric advance directives improves collaboration, which improves outcomes, increases empowerment, and improves medication adherence.

(2) A psychiatric advance directive is most helpful when it includes reasons for preferring or opposing specific types of treatment.

(3) Behavioral health preferences that do not constitute health care instructions or decisions as defined in this part may provide valuable information to improve an individual’s behavioral health care.

SEC. 14.

Section 4695 of the Probate Code is amended to read:

4695.

(a) A patient having capacity may revoke the designation of an agent, surrogate, or health care advocate only by a signed writing, digital application, or by personally informing the supervising health care provider.

(b) A patient having capacity may revoke all or part of an advance health care directive or psychiatric advance directive, other than the designation of an agent, at any time and in any manner that communicates an intent to revoke.

SEC. 15.

Section 4696 of the Probate Code is amended to read:

4696.

A health care provider, health care advocate, agent, conservator, or surrogate who is informed of a revocation of an advance health care directive or psychiatric advance directive shall promptly communicate the fact of the revocation to the supervising health care provider and to any health care institution where the patient is receiving care.

SEC. 16.

Section 4698 of the Probate Code is amended to read:

4698.

An advance health care directive or psychiatric advance directive that conflicts with an earlier advance directive or psychiatric advance directive revokes the earlier advance directive or psychiatric advance directive to the extent of the conflict.

SEC. 17.

Section 4701 of the Probate Code is amended to read:

4701.

The statutory advance health care directive form is as follows:

ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE
(California Probate Code Section 4701)
Explanation

You have the right to give instructions about your own physical and behavioral health care, which does not prevent the creation of a standalone psychiatric advance directive. You also have the right to name someone else to make those health care decisions for you or, in the case of a psychiatric advance directive, name a health care advocate to administer your preferences. This form lets you do either or both of these things. It also lets you express your wishes regarding donation of organs and the designation of your primary physician. If you use this form, you may complete or modify all or any part of it. You are free to use a different form.

Part 1 of this form is a power of attorney for health care. Part 1 lets you name another individual as agent to make health care decisions for you if you become incapable of making your own decisions or if you want someone else to make those decisions for you now even though you are still capable. You may also name an alternate agent to act for you if your first choice is not willing, able, or reasonably available to make decisions for you. (Your agent may not be an operator or employee of a community care facility or a residential care facility where you are receiving care, or your supervising health care provider or employee of the health care institution where you are receiving care, unless your agent is related to you or is a coworker.)

Unless the form you sign limits the authority of your agent, your agent may make all health care decisions for you. This form has a place for you to limit the authority of your agent. You need not limit the authority of your agent if you wish to rely on your agent for all health care decisions that may have to be made. If you choose not to limit the authority of your agent, your agent will have the right to:

(a) Consent or refuse consent to any care, treatment, service, or procedure to maintain, diagnose, or otherwise affect a physical or behavioral health condition.

(b) Select or discharge health care providers and institutions.

(c) For all physical and behavioral health care, approve or disapprove diagnostic tests, surgical procedures, and programs of medication.

(d) Direct the provision, withholding, or withdrawal of artificial nutrition and hydration and all other forms of health care, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

(e) Donate your organs, tissues, and parts, authorize an autopsy, and direct disposition of remains.

However, your agent will not be able to commit you to a behavioral health facility, or consent to convulsive treatment, psychosurgery, sterilization, or abortion for you.

Part 2 of this form lets you give specific instructions about any aspect of your health care, whether or not you appoint an agent. Choices are provided for you to express your wishes regarding the provision, withholding, or withdrawal of treatment to keep you alive, as well as the provision of pain relief. Space is also provided for you to add to the choices you have made or for you to write out any additional wishes. If you are satisfied to allow your agent to determine what is best for you in making end-of-life decisions, you need not fill out Part 2 of this form.

Part 3 of this form lets you express an intention to donate your bodily organs, tissues, and parts following your death.

Part 4 of this form lets you designate a physician to have primary responsibility for your health care.

After completing this form, sign and date the form at the end. The form shall be signed by two qualified witnesses or acknowledged before a notary public. Give a copy of the signed and completed form to your physician, to any other health care providers you may have, to any health care institution at which you are receiving care, and to any health care agents you have named. You should talk to the person you have named as agent to make sure that they understand your wishes and is willing to take the responsibility.

You have the right to revoke this advance health care directive or replace this form at any time.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

PART 1 POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR HEALTH CARE

(1.1) DESIGNATION OF AGENT: I designate the following individual as my agent to make health care decisions for me:

(name of individual you choose as agent)

_____ (address) _____ (city) _____ (state) _____ (ZIP Code)

(home phone)		(work phone)
OPTIONAL: If I revoke my agent’s authority or if my agent is not willing, able, or reasonably available to make a health care decision for me, I designate as my first alternate agent:

(name of individual you choose as first alternate agent)

_____ (address) _____ (city) _____ (state) _____ (ZIP Code)

(home phone)		(work phone)
OPTIONAL: If I revoke the authority of my agent and first alternate agent or if neither is willing, able, or reasonably available to make a health care decision for me, I designate as my second alternate agent:

(name of individual you choose as second alternate agent)

_____ (address) _____ (city) _____ (state) _____ (ZIP Code)

(home phone)		(work phone)







(1.2) AGENT’S AUTHORITY: My agent is authorized to make all physical and behavioral health care decisions for me, including decisions to provide, withhold, or withdraw artificial nutrition and hydration and all other forms of health care to keep me alive, except as I state here:



(Add additional sheets if needed.)
(1.3) WHEN AGENT’S AUTHORITY BECOMES EFFECTIVE: My agent’s authority becomes effective when my primary physician determines that I am unable to make my own health care decisions unless I mark the following box. If I mark this box ◻, my agent’s authority to make health care decisions for me takes effect immediately.

(1.4) AGENT’S OBLIGATION: My agent shall make health care decisions for me in accordance with this power of attorney for health care, any instructions I give in Part 2 of this form, and my other wishes to the extent known to my agent. To the extent my wishes are unknown, my agent shall make health care decisions for me in accordance with what my agent determines to be in my best interest. In determining my best interest, my agent shall consider my personal values to the extent known to my agent.

(1.5) AGENT’S POSTDEATH AUTHORITY: My agent is authorized to donate my organs, tissues, and parts, authorize an autopsy, and direct disposition of my remains, except as I state here or in Part 3 of this form:



(Add additional sheets if needed.)

(1.6) NOMINATION OF CONSERVATOR: If a conservator of my person needs to be appointed for me by a court, I nominate the agent designated in this form. If that agent is not willing, able, or reasonably available to act as conservator, I nominate the alternate agents whom I have named, in the order designated.

PART 2 INSTRUCTIONS FOR HEALTH CARE

If you fill out this part of the form, you may strike any wording you do not want.

(2.1) END–OF–LIFE DECISIONS: I direct that my health care providers and others involved in my care provide, withhold, or withdraw treatment in accordance with the choice I have marked below:

◻(a) Choice Not To Prolong Life
I do not want my life to be prolonged if (1) I have an incurable and irreversible condition that will result in my death within a relatively short time, (2) I become unconscious and, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, I will not regain consciousness, or (3) the likely risks and burdens of treatment would outweigh the expected benefits, OR

◻(b) Choice To Prolong Life
I want my life to be prolonged as long as possible within the limits of generally accepted health care standards.

(2.2) RELIEF FROM PAIN: Except as I state in the following space, I direct that treatment for alleviation of pain or discomfort be provided at all times, even if it hastens my death:


(Add additional sheets if needed.)

WISHES FOR PHYSICAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE: (If you do not agree with any of the optional choices above and wish to write your own, or if you wish to add to the instructions you have given above, you may do so here.) I direct that:


(Add additional sheets if needed.)

PART 3 DONATION OF ORGANS, TISSUES, AND PARTS AT DEATH (OPTIONAL)

(3.1) ◻ Upon my death, I give my organs, tissues, and parts (mark box to indicate yes). By checking the box above, and notwithstanding my choice in Part 2 of this form, I authorize my agent to consent to any temporary medical procedure necessary solely to evaluate and/or maintain my organs, tissues, and/or parts for purposes of donation.


My donation is for the following purposes (strike any of the following you do not want): (a) Transplant
(b) Therapy
(c) Research
(d) Education


If you want to restrict your donation of an organ, tissue, or part in some way, please state your restriction on the following lines: If I leave this part blank, it is not a refusal to make a donation. My state-authorized donor registration should be followed, or, if none, my agent may make a donation upon my death. If no agent is named above, I acknowledge that California law permits an authorized individual to make such a decision on my behalf. (To state any limitation, preference, or instruction regarding donation, please use the lines above or in Section 1.5 of this form).

PART 4 PRIMARY PHYSICIAN (OPTIONAL)

(4.1) I designate the following physician as my primary physician:

(name of physician)

_____ (address) _____ (city) _____ (state) _____ (ZIP Code)

(phone)
OPTIONAL: If the physician I have designated above is not willing, able, or reasonably available to act as my primary physician, I designate the following physician as my primary physician:


(name of physician)

_____ (address) _____ (city) _____ (state) _____ (ZIP Code)

(phone)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
PART 5

(5.1) EFFECT OF COPY: A copy of this form has the same effect as the original.

(5.2) SIGNATURE: Sign and date the form here:


(date)		(sign your name)

(address)		(print your name)

(city)(state)

(5.3) STATEMENT OF WITNESSES: I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of California (1) that the individual who signed or acknowledged this advance health care directive is personally known to me, or that the individual’s identity was proven to me by convincing evidence, (2) that the individual signed or acknowledged this advance directive in my presence, (3) that the individual appears to be of sound mind and under no duress, fraud, or undue influence, (4) that I am not a person appointed as agent by this advance directive, and (5) that I am not the individual’s health care provider, an employee of the individual’s health care provider, the operator of a community care facility, an employee of an operator of a community care facility, the operator of a residential care facility for the elderly, nor an employee of an operator of a residential care facility for the elderly.

First witness		Second witness

(print name)		(print name)

(address)		(address)

(city)(state)		(city)(state)

(signature of witness)		(signature of witness)

(date)		(date)

(5.4) ADDITIONAL STATEMENT OF WITNESSES: At least one of the above witnesses must also sign the following declaration: I further declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of California that I am not related to the individual executing this advance health care directive by blood, marriage, or adoption, and, to the best of my knowledge, I am not entitled to any part of the individual’s estate upon their death under a will now existing or by operation of law.



(signature of witness)		(signature of witness)

PART 6 SPECIAL WITNESS REQUIREMENT

(6.1) The following statement is required only if you are a patient in a skilled nursing facility—a health care facility that provides the following basic services: skilled nursing care and supportive care to patients whose primary need is for availability of skilled nursing care on an extended basis. The patient advocate or ombudsman must sign the following statement:

STATEMENT OF PATIENT ADVOCATE OR OMBUDSMAN

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of California that I am a patient advocate or ombudsman as designated by the State Department of Aging and that I am serving as a witness as required by Section 4675 of the Probate Code.

(date)		(sign your name)

(address)		(print your name)

(city)(state)

SEC. 18.

Section 4731 of the Probate Code is amended to read:

4731.

(a) A supervising health care provider who knows of the existence of an advance health care directive or psychiatric advance directive, a revocation of an advance health care directive or psychiatric advance directive, or a designation or disqualification of a surrogate, shall promptly record its existence in the patient’s health care record and, if it is in writing, shall request a copy. If a copy is furnished, the supervising health care provider shall arrange for its maintenance in the patient’s health care record.

(b) A supervising health care provider who knows of a revocation of a power of attorney for health care or a disqualification of a surrogate shall make a reasonable effort to notify the agent or surrogate of the revocation or disqualification.

SEC. 19.

Section 4740 of the Probate Code is amended to read:

4740.

A physical or behavioral health care provider or physical or behavioral health care institution acting in good faith and in accordance with generally accepted health care standards applicable to the health care provider or institution is not subject to civil or criminal liability or to discipline for unprofessional conduct for any actions in compliance with this division, including, but not limited to, any of the following conduct:

(a) Complying with a health care decision of a person that the health care provider or health care institution believes in good faith has the authority to make a health care decision for a patient, including a decision to withhold or withdraw health care.

(b) Declining to comply with a health care decision of a person based on a belief that the person then lacked authority.

(c) Complying with an advance health care directive and assuming that the directive was valid when made and has not been revoked or terminated.

(d) Declining to comply with an individual health care instruction or health care decision, in accordance with Sections 4734 to 4736, inclusive.

SEC. 20.

Section 4742 of the Probate Code is amended to read:

4742.

(a) A physical or behavioral health care provider or physical or behavioral health care institution that intentionally violates this part is subject to liability to the aggrieved individual for damages of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) or actual damages resulting from the violation, whichever is greater, plus reasonable attorney’s fees.

(b) A person who intentionally falsifies, forges, conceals, defaces, or obliterates an individual’s advance health care directive or psychiatric advance directive, or a revocation of an advance health care directive or psychiatric advance directive, without the individual’s consent, or who coerces or fraudulently induces an individual to give, revoke, or not to give an advance health care directive or psychiatric advance directive, is subject to liability to that individual for damages of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or actual damages resulting from the action, whichever is greater, plus reasonable attorney’s fees.

SEC. 21.

Section 4750 of the Probate Code is amended to read:

4750.

Subject to this division:

(a) An advance health care directive or psychiatric advance directive is effective and exercisable free of judicial intervention.

(b) A health care decision made by an agent for a principal is effective without judicial approval.

SEC. 22.

Section 4800 of the Probate Code is amended to read:

4800.

(a) The Secretary of State shall establish a registry system through which a person who has executed a written advance health care directive or psychiatric advance directive may register in a central information center, information regarding the advance directive or psychiatric advance directive, making that information available upon request to any health care provider, the public guardian, or the legal representative of the registrant. A request for information pursuant to this section shall state the need for the information.

(b) The Secretary of State shall respond by the close of business on the next business day to a request for information made pursuant to Section 4717 by the emergency department of a general acute care hospital.

(c) Information that may be received is limited to the registrant’s name, social security number, driver’s license number, or other individual identifying number established by law, if any, address, date and place of birth, the registrant’s advance health care directive, an intended place of deposit or safekeeping of a written advance health care directive, and the name and telephone number of the agent and any alternative agent. Information that may be released upon request may not include the registrant’s social security number except when necessary to verify the identity of the registrant.

(d) When the Secretary of State receives information from a registrant, the secretary shall issue the registrant an Advance Health Care Directive Registry identification card indicating that an advance health care directive, or information regarding an advance health care directive, has been deposited with the registry. Costs associated with issuance of the card shall be offset by the fee charged by the Secretary of State to receive and register information at the registry.

(e) The Secretary of State, at the request of the registrant or his or her legal representative, shall transmit the information received regarding the written advance health care directive to the registry system of another jurisdiction as identified by the registrant, or his or her legal representative.

(f) The Secretary of State shall charge a fee to each registrant in an amount such that, when all fees charged to registrants are aggregated, the aggregated fees do not exceed the actual cost of establishing and maintaining the registry.

SEC. 23.

Section 4802 of the Probate Code is amended to read:

4802.

The Secretary of State shall establish procedures to advise each registrant of the following:

(a) A health care provider shall not honor a written advance health care directive until it receives a copy from the registrant.

(b) Each registrant shall notify the registry upon revocation of the advance directive.

(d) A standalone digital psychiatric advance directive may be accessed in a cloud-based setting or provided as a printed document.

SEC. 24.

Section 4803 of the Probate Code is amended to read:

4803.

Failure to register with the Secretary of State does not affect the validity of any advance health care directive or psychiatric advance directive.

SEC. 25.

Section 4804 of the Probate Code is amended to read:

4804.

Registration with the Secretary of State does not affect the ability of the registrant to revoke the registrant’s advance health care directive or psychiatric advance directive or a later executed advance health care directive or psychiatric advance directive, nor does registration raise any presumption of validity or superiority among any competing advance directives or revocations.

SEC. 26.

Section 4805 of the Probate Code is amended to read:

4805.

This part does not affect the duty of a physical or behavioral health care provider to provide information to a patient regarding advance health care directives or psychiatric advance directives pursuant to federal law.

SEC. 27.

Section 4806 of the Probate Code is amended to read:

4806.

(a) The Secretary of State shall work with the State Department of Health Services and the office of the Attorney General to develop information about end-of-life care, advance health care directives, and registration of the advance health care directives and psychiatric advance directives at the registry established pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 4800. This information shall be developed utilizing existing information developed by the office of the Attorney General.

(b) Links to the information specified in subdivision (a) and to the registry shall be available on the internet websites of the Secretary of State, the State Department of Health Services, the office of the Attorney General, the Department of Managed Health Care, the Department of Insurance, the Board of Registered Nursing, and the Medical Board of California.

SEC. 28.

Section 391 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

391.

(a) (1) At the first regularly scheduled review hearing held pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 366.3 after a dependent child has attained 16 years of age, the county welfare department shall submit a report verifying that the following information, documents, and services have been provided to the child:

(A) Social security card, if provided to the child pursuant to paragraph (2).

(B) Copy of the birth certificate.

(C) Driver’s license, as described in Section 12500 of the Vehicle Code, or identification card, as described in Section 13000 of the Vehicle Code.

(D) Assistance in obtaining employment, if applicable.

(E) Assistance in applying for, or preparing to apply for, admission to college or to a vocational training program or other educational institution and in obtaining financial aid, where applicable.

(F) Written information notifying the child that current or former dependent children who are or have been in foster care are granted a preference for student assistant or internship positions with state agencies pursuant to Section 18220 of the Government Code, or with participating county agencies pursuant to Section 31000.11 of the Government Code, until the child attains 26 years of age.

(G) Written information notifying the child of any financial literacy programs or other available resources provided through the county or other community organizations to help the youth obtain financial literacy skills, including, but not limited to, banking, credit card debt, student loan debt, credit scores, credit history, and personal savings.

(2) Except as required by subdivision (b), the child’s social security card may only be provided temporarily to the dependent child for the following purposes:

(A) To enable the child to obtain employment.

(B) To apply for admission to an institution of postsecondary education or a vocational training program.

(D) To apply for or access public benefits.

(E) As otherwise determined by the child’s caseworker, including, but not limited to, in response to a request from the child.

(3) For purposes of this subdivision, a certified copy of the dependent child’s birth certificate shall be provided upon request of the child.

(b) At the last regularly scheduled review hearing held pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 366.3 before a dependent child attains 18 years of age, the county welfare department shall submit a report verifying that the following information, documents, and services have been provided to the minor or nonminor:

(1) Social security card.

(2) Certified copy of the birth certificate.

(3) Driver’s license, as described in Section 12500 of the Vehicle Code, or identification card, as described in Section 13000 of the Vehicle Code.

(4) Medi-Cal Benefits Identification Card.

(5) A letter prepared by the county welfare department that includes the following information:

(A) The minor’s or nonminor’s name and date of birth.

(B) The dates during which the minor or nonminor was within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court.

(C) A statement that the minor or nonminor was a foster youth in compliance with state and federal financial aid documentation requirements.

(6) If applicable, the death certificate of the parent or parents.

(7) If applicable, proof of the minor’s or nonminor’s citizenship or legal residence.

(8) An advance health care directive or psychiatric advance directive written or digital form.

(9) The Judicial Council form that the minor or nonminor would use to file a petition pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 388 to resume dependency jurisdiction.

(10) Written information notifying the minor or nonminor that they may be eligible to receive CalFresh benefits, and where the minor or nonminor can apply for CalFresh benefits.

(c) At the last regularly scheduled review hearing held pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 366.3 before a dependent child attains 18 years of age, and at every regularly scheduled review hearing thereafter, the county welfare department shall submit a report describing efforts toward providing the following information, documents, and services to the minor or nonminor:

(1) Assistance in obtaining employment, if applicable.

(2) Assistance in applying for, or preparing to apply for, admission to college or to a vocational training program or other educational institution and in obtaining financial aid, where applicable.

(3) Written information notifying the child that a current or former dependent child who is or has been in foster care is granted a preference for student assistant or internship positions with state agencies pursuant to Section 18220 of the Government Code, or with participating county agencies pursuant to Section 31000.11 of the Government Code, until the child attains 26 years of age.

(4) Written information notifying the child that youth exiting foster care at 18 years of age or older are eligible for Medi-Cal until they reach 26 years of age, regardless of income, and are not required to submit an application.

(5) Written information notifying the child of any financial literacy programs or other available resources provided through the county or other community organizations to help the youth obtain financial literacy skills, including, but not limited to, banking, credit card debt, student loan debt, credit scores, credit history, and personal savings.

(6) (A) If applicable, referrals to transitional housing, if available, or assistance in securing other housing.

(B) Whether the referrals or assistance as described in subparagraph (A) have resulted in housing being secured for the minor or nonminor, and, if not, what, if any, different or additional referrals or assistance the department has provided that are intended to secure housing.

(D) If applicable, information, including summaries, describing additional referrals, assistance, or services provided by county departments or agencies other than the county welfare department that are intended to prevent the minor or nonminor from becoming homeless if jurisdiction is terminated pursuant to this section.

(E) The information described in subparagraphs (B) to (D), inclusive, is required only for reports submitted at the last regularly scheduled review hearing held pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 366.3 before a dependent child attains 18 years of age.

(7) Assistance in maintaining relationships with individuals who are important to a minor or nonminor who has been in out-of-home placement for six months or longer from the date the minor or nonminor entered foster care, based on the minor’s or nonminor’s best interests.

(8) The whereabouts of any siblings under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, unless the court determines that sibling contact would jeopardize the safety or welfare of either sibling.

(d) The dependency court shall not terminate jurisdiction over a nonminor unless a hearing is conducted pursuant to this section. At any hearing at which the court is considering terminating jurisdiction over a nonminor, the county welfare department shall do all of the following:

(1) Ensure that the dependent nonminor is present in court, unless the nonminor does not wish to appear in court and elects a telephonic appearance, or document reasonable efforts made by the county welfare department to locate the nonminor when the nonminor is not available.

(2) Submit a report describing whether it is in the nonminor’s best interests to remain under the court’s dependency jurisdiction, which includes a recommended transitional independent living case plan for the nonminor when the report describes continuing dependency jurisdiction as being in the nonminor’s best interest.

(3) If the county welfare department recommends termination of the court’s dependency jurisdiction, submit documentation of the reasonable efforts made by the department to provide the nonminor with the assistance needed to meet or maintain eligibility as a nonminor dependent, as defined in paragraphs (1) to (5), inclusive, of subdivision (b) of Section 11403.

(4) If the nonminor has indicated that they do not want dependency jurisdiction to continue, the report shall address the manner in which the nonminor was advised of their options, including the benefits of remaining in foster care, and of their right to reenter foster care and to file a petition pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 388 to resume dependency jurisdiction prior to attaining 21 years of age.

(e) (1) The court shall continue dependency jurisdiction over a nonminor who meets the definition of a nonminor dependent as described in subdivision (v) of Section 11400 unless the court finds either of the following:

(A) That the nonminor does not wish to remain subject to dependency jurisdiction.

(B) That the nonminor is not participating in a reasonable and appropriate transitional independent living case plan.

(2) In making the findings pursuant to paragraph (1), the court shall also find that the nonminor has been informed of their options including the benefits of remaining in foster care and the right to reenter foster care by filing a petition pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 388 to resume dependency jurisdiction and by completing a voluntary reentry agreement pursuant to subdivision (z) of Section 11400, and has had an opportunity to confer with their counsel if counsel has been appointed pursuant to Section 317.

(f) The court may terminate its jurisdiction over a nonminor if the court finds after reasonable and documented efforts the nonminor cannot be located.

(g) When terminating dependency jurisdiction, the court shall maintain general jurisdiction over the nonminor to allow for the filing of a petition to resume dependency jurisdiction under subdivision (e) of Section 388 until the nonminor attains 21 years of age, although no review proceedings shall be required. A nonminor may petition the court pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 388 to resume dependency jurisdiction at any time before attaining 21 years of age.

(h) The court shall not terminate dependency jurisdiction over a nonminor dependent who has attained 18 years of age until a hearing is conducted pursuant to this section. Jurisdiction shall not be terminated until the department has submitted a report verifying that the information, documents, and services required under subdivisions (a) and (b), as well as the following information, documents, and services, have been provided to the nonminor, or in the case of a nonminor who, after reasonable efforts by the county welfare department, cannot be located, verifying the efforts made to make the following available to the nonminor:

(1) Assistance in accessing the Independent Living Aftercare Program in the nonminor’s county of residence, and, upon the nonminor’s request, assistance in completing a voluntary reentry agreement for care and placement pursuant to subdivision (z) of Section 11400 and in filing a petition pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 388 to resume dependency jurisdiction.

(2) Written information concerning the nonminor’s dependency case, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(A) Any known information regarding the nonminor’s Indian heritage or tribal connections.

(B) The nonminor’s family history and placement history.

(C) Any photographs of the nonminor or the family of the nonminor in the possession of the county welfare department, other than forensic photographs.

(D) Directions on how to access the documents the nonminor is entitled to inspect under Section 827.

(E) The written 90-day transition plan prepared pursuant to Section 16501.1.

(F) The date on which the jurisdiction of the juvenile court would be terminated.

(3) The health and education summary described in subdivision (a) of Section 16010.

(4) The Judicial Council form that the nonminor would use to file a petition pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 388 to resume dependency jurisdiction.

(5) Written verification that the eligible nonminor is enrolled in Medi-Cal and the nonminor’s Medi-Cal Benefits Identification Card.

(6) Continued and uninterrupted enrollment in Medi-Cal for eligible nonminors pursuant to Section 14005.28 or 14005.285.

(7) Assistance with the following:

(A) Referrals to transitional housing, if available, or assistance in securing other housing.

(B) Obtaining employment or other financial support, if applicable.

(8) The report described in this subdivision, as it relates to the assistance described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (7), shall include the following:

(A) Whether the referral or assistance has resulted in housing being secured for the minor or nonminor, and, if not, what, if any, different or additional assistance the department has provided that is intended to secure housing.

(B) The duration of the housing, if known to the department.

(C) If applicable, information, including summaries, describing additional referrals, assistance, or services provided by county departments or agencies other than the county welfare department that are intended to prevent the minor or nonminor from becoming homeless if jurisdiction is terminated pursuant to this section.

SEC. 29.

The heading of Division 5 (commencing with Section 5000) of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

DIVISION 5. COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES

SEC. 30.

Section 5008 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

5008.

Unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions shall govern the construction of this part:

(a) “Evaluation” consists of multidisciplinary professional analyses of a person’s medical, psychological, educational, social, financial, and legal conditions as may appear to constitute a problem. Persons providing evaluation services shall be properly qualified professionals and may be full-time employees of an agency providing face-to-face, which includes telehealth, evaluation services or may be part-time employees or may be employed on a contractual basis.

(b) “Court-ordered evaluation” means an evaluation ordered by a superior court pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 5200) or by a superior court pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 5225) of Chapter 2.

(c) “Intensive treatment” consists of such hospital and other services as may be indicated. Intensive treatment shall be provided by properly qualified professionals and carried out in facilities qualifying for reimbursement under the California Medical Assistance Program (Medi-Cal) set forth in Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 14000) of Part 3 of Division 9, or under Title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act and regulations thereunder. Intensive treatment may be provided in hospitals of the United States government by properly qualified professionals. This part does not prohibit an intensive treatment facility from also providing 72-hour evaluation and treatment.

(d) “Referral” is referral of persons by each agency or facility providing assessment, evaluation, crisis intervention, or treatment services to other agencies or individuals. The purpose of referral shall be to provide for continuity of care, and may include, but need not be limited to, informing the person of available services, making appointments on the person’s behalf, discussing the person’s problem with the agency or individual to which the person has been referred, appraising the outcome of referrals, and arranging for personal escort and transportation when necessary. Referral shall be considered complete when the agency or individual to whom the person has been referred accepts responsibility for providing the necessary services. All persons shall be advised of available precare services that prevent initial recourse to hospital treatment or aftercare services that support adjustment to community living following hospital treatment. These services may be provided through county or city mental health departments, state hospitals under the jurisdiction of the State Department of State Hospitals, regional centers under contract with the State Department of Developmental Services, or other public or private entities.

Each agency or facility providing evaluation services shall maintain a current and comprehensive file of all community services, both public and private. These files shall contain current agreements with agencies or individuals accepting referrals, as well as appraisals of the results of past referrals.

(e) “Crisis intervention” consists of an interview or series of interviews within a brief period of time, conducted by qualified professionals, and designed to alleviate personal or family situations that present a serious and imminent threat to the health or stability of the person or the family. The interview or interviews may be conducted in the home of the person or family, or on an inpatient or outpatient basis with such therapy, or other services, as may be appropriate. The interview or interviews may include family members, significant support persons, providers, a health care advocate, or other entities or individuals, as appropriate and as authorized by law. Crisis intervention may, as appropriate, include a psychiatric advance directive or suicide prevention, psychiatric, welfare, psychological, legal, or other social services.

(f) “Prepetition screening” is a screening of all petitions for court-ordered evaluation as provided in Article 2 (commencing with Section 5200) of Chapter 2, consisting of a professional review of all petitions; an interview with the petitioner and, whenever possible, the person alleged, as a result of a mental health disorder, to be a danger to others, or to themselves, or to be gravely disabled, to assess the problem and explain the petition; when indicated, efforts to persuade the person to receive, on a voluntary basis, comprehensive evaluation, crisis intervention, psychiatric advance directive, referral, and other services specified in this part.

(g) “Conservatorship investigation” means investigation by an agency appointed or designated by the governing body of cases in which conservatorship is recommended pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 5350).

(h) (1) For purposes of Article 1 (commencing with Section 5150), Article 2 (commencing with Section 5200), Article 3 (commencing with Section 5225), and Article 4 (commencing with Section 5250) of Chapter 2, and for the purposes of Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 5350), “gravely disabled” means any of the following, as applicable:

(A) A condition in which a person, as a result of a behavioral health disorder, ~~which may include~~ a severe substance use disorder, or a co-occurring mental health disorder and a severe substance use disorder, is unable to provide for their basic personal needs for food, clothing, shelter, personal safety, or necessary medical care.

(B) A condition in which a person has been found mentally incompetent under Section 1370 of the Penal Code and all of the following facts exist:

(i) The complaint, indictment, or information pending against the person at the time of commitment charges a felony involving death, great bodily harm, or a serious threat to the physical well-being of another person.

(ii) There has been a finding of probable cause on a complaint pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 1368.1 of the Penal Code, a preliminary examination pursuant to Section 859b of the Penal Code, or a grand jury indictment, and the complaint, indictment, or information has not been dismissed.

(iii) As a result of a behavioral health disorder, the person is unable to understand the nature and purpose of the proceedings taken against them and to assist counsel in the conduct of their defense in a rational manner.

(iv) The person represents a substantial danger of physical harm to others by reason of a mental disease, defect, or disorder.

(2) For purposes of Article 3 (commencing with Section 5225) and Article 4 (commencing with Section 5250), of Chapter 2, and for the purposes of Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 5350), “gravely disabled” includes a condition in which a person, as a result of impairment by chronic alcoholism, is unable to provide for their basic personal needs for food, clothing, shelter, personal safety, or necessary medical care.

(3) The term “gravely disabled” does not include persons with intellectual disabilities by reason of that disability alone.

(4) A county, by adoption of a resolution of its governing body, may elect to defer implementation of the changes made to this section by Senate Bill 43 of the ~~2022–2023~~ 2023–24 Regular Legislative Session until January 1, 2026.

(i) “Peace officer” means a duly sworn peace officer as that term is defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code who has completed the basic training course established by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, or any parole officer or probation officer specified in Section 830.5 of the Penal Code when acting in relation to cases for which the officer has a legally mandated responsibility.

(j) “Postcertification treatment” means an additional period of treatment pursuant to Article 6 (commencing with Section 5300) of Chapter 2.

(k) “Court,” unless otherwise specified, means a court of record.

(l) “Antipsychotic medication” means any medication customarily prescribed for the treatment of symptoms of psychoses and other severe mental and emotional disorders.

(m) “Emergency” means a situation in which action to impose treatment over the person’s objection is immediately necessary for the preservation of life or the prevention of serious bodily harm to the patient or others, and it is impracticable to first gain consent. It is not necessary for harm to take place or become unavoidable prior to treatment.

(n) “Designated facility” or “facility designated by the county for evaluation and treatment” means a facility that is licensed or certified as a behavioral health treatment facility or a hospital, as defined in subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code, by the State Department of Public Health, and may include, but is not limited to, a licensed psychiatric hospital, a licensed psychiatric health facility, and a certified crisis stabilization unit.

(o) “Severe substance use disorder” means a diagnosed substance-related disorder that meets the diagnostic criteria of “severe” as defined in the most current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

(p) “Personal safety” means the ability of one to survive safely in the community without involuntary detention or treatment pursuant to this part.

(q) “Necessary medical care” means care that a licensed health care practitioner, while operating within the scope of their practice, determines to be necessary to prevent serious deterioration of an existing physical medical condition which, if left untreated, is likely to result in serious bodily injury as defined in Section 15610.67.

(r) “Psychiatric advance directive” has the same meaning as defined in Section ~~21001.~~ 4679 of the Probate Code.

(s) “Health care advocate” has the same meaning as defined in Section 21001.

SEC. 31.

Section 5150 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

5150.

(a) When a person, as a result of a behavioral health disorder, is a danger to others, or to themselves, or gravely disabled, a peace officer, professional person in charge of a facility designated by the county for evaluation and treatment, member of the attending staff, as defined by regulation, of a facility designated by the county for evaluation and treatment, designated members of a mobile crisis team, or professional person designated by the county may, upon probable cause, take, or cause to be taken, the person into custody for a period of up to 72 hours for assessment, evaluation, and crisis intervention, or placement for evaluation and treatment in a facility designated by the county for evaluation and treatment and approved by the State Department of Health Care Services. The 72-hour period begins at the time when the person is first detained. At a minimum, assessment, as defined in Section 5150.4, and evaluation, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 5008, shall be conducted and provided on an ongoing basis. Crisis intervention, as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 5008, may be provided concurrently with assessment, evaluation, or any other service.

(b) When determining if a person should be taken into custody pursuant to subdivision (a), the individual making that determination shall apply the provisions of Section 5150.05, and shall not be limited to consideration of the danger of imminent harm.

(c) The professional person in charge of a facility designated by the county for evaluation and treatment, member of the attending staff, or professional person designated by the county shall assess the person to determine whether the person can be properly served without being detained. If, in the judgment of the professional person in charge of the facility designated by the county for evaluation and treatment, member of the attending staff, or professional person designated by the county, the person can be properly served without being detained, the person shall be provided evaluation, crisis intervention, or other inpatient or outpatient services on a voluntary basis. This subdivision does not prevent a peace officer from delivering an individual to a designated facility for assessment under this section. Furthermore, the assessment requirement of this subdivision does not require a peace officer to perform any additional duties other than those specified in Sections 5150.1 and 5150.2.

(d) If a person is evaluated by a professional person in charge of a facility designated by the county for evaluation or treatment, member of the attending staff, or professional person designated by the county and is found to be in need of behavioral health services, but is not admitted to the facility, all available alternative services provided pursuant to subdivision (c) shall be offered, as determined by the county behavioral health director.

(e) If, in the judgment of the professional person in charge of the facility designated by the county for evaluation and treatment, member of the attending staff, or the professional person designated by the county, the person cannot be properly served without being detained, the admitting facility shall require an application in writing stating the circumstances under which the person’s condition was called to the attention of the peace officer, professional person in charge of the facility designated by the county for evaluation and treatment, member of the attending staff, or professional person designated by the county, and stating that the peace officer, professional person in charge of the facility designated by the county for evaluation and treatment, member of the attending staff, or professional person designated by the county has probable cause to believe that the person is, as a result of a behavioral health disorder, a danger to others, or to themselves, or gravely disabled. The application shall also record whether the historical course of the person’s behavioral disorder was considered in the determination, pursuant to Section 5150.05. If the probable cause is based on the statement of a person other than the peace officer, professional person in charge of the facility designated by the county for evaluation and treatment, member of the attending staff, or professional person designated by the county, the person shall be liable in a civil action for intentionally giving a statement that the person knows to be false. A copy of the application shall be treated as the original.

(f) At the time a person is taken into custody for evaluation, or within a reasonable time thereafter, unless a responsible relative or the guardian or conservator of the person is in possession of the person’s personal property, the person taking them into custody shall take reasonable precautions to preserve and safeguard the personal property in the possession of or on the premises occupied by the person. The person taking them into custody shall then furnish to the court a report generally describing the person’s property so preserved and safeguarded and its disposition, in substantially the form set forth in Section 5211, except that if a responsible relative or the guardian or conservator of the person is in possession of the person’s property, the report shall include only the name of the relative or guardian or conservator and the location of the property, whereupon responsibility of the person taking them into custody for that property shall terminate. As used in this section, “responsible relative” includes the spouse, parent, adult child, domestic partner, grandparent, grandchild, or adult brother or sister of the person.

(g) (1) Each person, at the time the person is first taken into custody under this section, shall be provided, by the person who takes them into custody, the following information orally in a language or modality accessible to the person. If the person cannot understand an oral advisement, the information shall be provided in writing. The information shall be in substantially the following form:

My name is .

I am a _____ (peace officer/behavioral health professional) _____ .

with _____ (name of agency) _____ .

You are not under criminal arrest, but I am taking you for an examination by behavioral health professionals at .

_____ (name of facility) _____

You will be told your rights by the behavioral health staff.

(2) If taken into custody at the person’s own residence, the person shall also be provided the following information:

You may bring a few personal items with you, which I will have to approve. Please inform me if you need assistance turning off any appliance or water. You may make a phone call and leave a note to tell your friends, family, or health care advocate where you have been taken.

(h) The designated facility shall keep, for each patient evaluated, a record of the advisement given pursuant to subdivision (g) which shall include all of the following:

(1) The name of the person detained for evaluation.

(2) The name and position of the peace officer or behavioral health professional taking the person into custody.

(3) The date the advisement was completed.

(4) Whether the advisement was completed.

(5) The language or modality used to give the advisement.

(6) If the advisement was not completed, a statement of good cause, as defined by regulations of the State Department of Health Care Services.

(7) If the person detained has an advance health care directive or a psychiatric advance directive.

(i) (1) Each person admitted to a facility designated by the county for evaluation and treatment shall be given the following information by admission staff of the facility. The information shall be given orally and in writing and in a language or modality accessible to the person. The written information shall be available to the person in English and in the language that is the person’s primary means of communication. Accommodations for other disabilities that may affect communication shall also be provided. The information shall be in substantially the following form:

My name is .

My position here is .

You are being placed into this psychiatric facility because it is our professional opinion that, as a result of a behavioral health disorder, you are likely to (check applicable):

◻ Harm yourself.
◻ Harm someone else.
◻ Be unable to take care of your own food, clothing, and housing needs.
We believe this is true because

(list of the facts upon which the allegation of dangerous
or gravely disabled due to behavioral health disorder is based, including pertinent
facts arising from the admission interview).

You will be held for a period up to 72 hours. During the 72 hours you may also be transferred to another facility. You may request to be evaluated or treated at a facility of your choice. You may request to be evaluated or treated by a behavioral health professional of your choice. We cannot guarantee the facility or behavioral health professional you choose will be available, but we will honor your choice if we can.

During these 72 hours you will be evaluated by the facility staff, and you may be given treatment, including medications. It is possible for you to be released before the end of the 72 hours. But if the staff decides that you need continued treatment you can be held for a longer period of time. If you are held longer than 72 hours, you have the right to a lawyer and a qualified interpreter and a hearing before a judge. If you are unable to pay for the lawyer, then one will be provided to you free of charge.

If you have questions about your legal rights, you may contact the county Patients’ Rights Advocate at _____ (phone number for the county Patients’ Rights Advocacy office) _____ .

Your 72-hour period began _____ (date/time) _____ .

(2) If the notice is given in a county where weekends and holidays are excluded from the 72-hour period, the person shall be informed of this fact.

(j) For each person admitted for evaluation and treatment, the facility shall keep with the person’s medical record a record of the advisement given pursuant to subdivision (i), which shall include all of the following:

(1) The name of the person performing the advisement.

(2) The date of the advisement.

(3) Whether the advisement was completed.

(4) The language or modality used to communicate the advisement.

(5) If the advisement was not completed, a statement of good cause.

(k) A facility to which a person who is involuntarily detained pursuant to this section is transported shall notify the county patients’ rights advocate, as defined in Section 5500, if a person has not been released within 72 hours of the involuntary detention.

SEC. 32.

Section 5346 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

5346.

(a) In any county or group of counties where services are available as provided in Section 5348, a court may order a person who is the subject of a petition filed pursuant to this section to obtain assisted outpatient treatment if the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that the facts stated in the verified petition filed in accordance with this section are true and establish that all of the requisite criteria set forth in this section are met, including, but not limited to, each of the following:

(1) The person is 18 years of age or older.

(2) The person is suffering from a behavioral health illness as defined in paragraphs (2) and (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 5600.3.

(3) There has been a clinical determination that, in view of the person’s treatment history and current behavior, at least one of the following is true:

(A) The person is unlikely to survive safely in the community without supervision and the person’s condition is substantially deteriorating.

(B) The person is in need of assisted outpatient treatment in order to prevent a relapse or deterioration that would be likely to result in grave disability or serious harm to the person or to others, as defined in Section 5150.

(4) The person has a history of lack of compliance with treatment for the person’s behavioral health illness, in that at least one of the following is true:

(A) The person’s behavioral health illness has, at least twice within the last 36 months, been a substantial factor in necessitating hospitalization, or receipt of services in a forensic or other behavioral health unit of a state correctional facility or local correctional facility, not including any period during which the person was hospitalized or incarcerated immediately preceding the filing of the petition.

(B) The person’s behavioral health illness has resulted in one or more acts of serious and violent behavior toward themselves or another, or threats, or attempts to cause serious physical harm to themselves or another within the last 48 months, not including any period in which the person was hospitalized or incarcerated immediately preceding the filing of the petition.

(5) The person has been offered an opportunity to participate in a treatment plan by the director of the local behavioral health department, or the director’s designee, provided the treatment plan includes all of the services described in Section 5348, and the person continues to fail to engage in treatment.

(6) Participation in the assisted outpatient treatment program would be the least restrictive placement necessary to ensure the person’s recovery and stability.

(7) It is likely that the person will benefit from assisted outpatient treatment.

(b) (1) A petition for an order authorizing assisted outpatient treatment may be filed by the county behavioral health director, or the director’s designee, in the superior court in the county in which the person who is the subject of the petition is present or reasonably believed to be present.

(2) A request may be made only by any of the following persons to the county behavioral health department for the filing of a petition to obtain an order authorizing assisted outpatient treatment:

(A) A person 18 years of age or older with whom the person who is the subject of the petition resides.

(B) A person who is the parent, spouse, or sibling or child 18 years of age or older of the person who is the subject of the petition.

(C) The director of a public or private agency, treatment facility, charitable organization, or licensed residential care facility providing behavioral health services to the person who is the subject of the petition in whose institution the subject of the petition resides.

(D) The director of a hospital in which the person who is the subject of the petition is hospitalized.

(E) A licensed behavioral health treatment provider who is either supervising the treatment of, or treating for a behavioral health illness, the person who is the subject of the petition.

(F) A peace officer, parole officer, or probation officer assigned to supervise the person who is the subject of the petition.

(G) A judge of a superior court before whom the person who is the subject of the petition appears.

(3) Upon receiving a request pursuant to paragraph (2), the county behavioral health director shall conduct an investigation into the appropriateness of filing of the petition. The director shall file the petition only if the director determines that there is a reasonable likelihood that all the necessary elements to sustain the petition can be proven in a court of law by clear and convincing evidence.

(4) The petition shall state all of the following:

(A) Each of the criteria for assisted outpatient treatment as set forth in subdivision (a).

(B) Facts that support the petitioner’s belief that the person who is the subject of the petition meets each criterion, provided that the hearing on the petition shall be limited to the stated facts in the verified petition, and the petition contains all the grounds on which the petition is based, in order to ensure adequate notice to the person who is the subject of the petition and that person’s counsel.

(C) That the person who is the subject of the petition is present, or is reasonably believed to be present, within the county where the petition is filed.

(D) That the person who is the subject of the petition has the right to be represented by counsel in all stages of the proceeding under the petition, in accordance with subdivision (c).

(5) (A) The petition shall be accompanied by an affidavit of a licensed behavioral health treatment provider designated by the local behavioral health director who shall state, if applicable, either of the following:

(i) That the licensed behavioral health treatment provider has personally examined the person who is the subject of the petition no more than 10 days prior to the submission of the petition, the facts and reasons why the person who is the subject of the petition meets the criteria in subdivision (a), that the licensed behavioral health treatment provider recommends assisted outpatient treatment for the person who is the subject of the petition, and that the licensed mental health treatment provider is willing and able to testify at the hearing on the petition.

(ii) That, no more than 10 days prior to the filing of the petition, the licensed behavioral health treatment provider, or the provider’s designee, has made appropriate attempts to elicit the cooperation of the person who is the subject of the petition, but has not been successful in persuading that person to submit to an examination, that the licensed behavioral health treatment provider has reason to believe that the person who is the subject of the petition meets the criteria for assisted outpatient treatment, and that the licensed behavioral health treatment provider is willing and able to examine the person who is the subject of the petition and testify at the hearing on the petition.

(B) An examining behavioral health professional in their affidavit to the court shall address the issue of whether the defendant has capacity to give informed consent regarding psychotropic medication.

(c) The person who is the subject of the petition shall have the right to be represented by counsel at all stages of a proceeding commenced under this section. If the person so elects, the court shall immediately appoint the public defender or other attorney to assist the person in all stages of the proceedings. The person shall pay the cost of the legal services if able to do so.

(d) (1) Upon receipt by the court of a petition submitted pursuant to subdivision (b), the court shall fix the date for a hearing at a time not later than five days from the date the petition is received by the court, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. The petitioner shall promptly cause service of a copy of the petition, together with written notice of the hearing date, to be made personally on the person who is the subject of the petition, and shall send a copy of the petition and notice to the county office of patient rights, and to the current health care provider appointed for the person who is the subject of the petition, if the provider is known to the petitioner. Continuances shall be permitted only for good cause shown. In granting continuances, the court shall consider the need for further examination by a physician or the potential need to provide expeditiously assisted outpatient treatment. Upon the hearing date, or upon any other date or dates to which the proceeding may be continued, the court shall hear testimony. If it is deemed advisable by the court, and if the person who is the subject of the petition is available and has received notice pursuant to this section, the court may examine in or out of court the person who is the subject of the petition who is alleged to be in need of assisted outpatient treatment. If the person who is the subject of the petition does not appear at the hearing, and appropriate attempts to elicit the attendance of the person have failed, the court may conduct the hearing in the person’s absence. If the hearing is conducted without the person present, the court shall set forth the factual basis for conducting the hearing without the person’s presence. The person who is the subject of the petition shall maintain the right to appear before the court in person, but may appear by videoconferencing means if they choose to do so.

(2) The court shall not order assisted outpatient treatment unless an examining licensed behavioral health treatment provider, who has personally examined, and has reviewed the available treatment history of, the person who is the subject of the petition within the time period commencing 10 days before the filing of the petition, testifies at the hearing. An examining behavioral health professional may appear before the court by videoconferencing means.

(3) If the person who is the subject of the petition has refused to be examined by a licensed behavioral health treatment provider, the court may request that the person consent to an examination by a licensed behavioral health treatment provider appointed by the court. If the person who is the subject of the petition does not consent and the court finds reasonable cause to believe that the allegations in the petition are true, the court may order any person designated under Section 5150 to take into custody the person who is the subject of the petition and transport the person, or cause the person to be transported, to a hospital for examination by a licensed behavioral health treatment provider as soon as is practicable. Detention of the person who is the subject of the petition under the order may not exceed 72 hours. If the examination is performed by another licensed behavioral health treatment provider, the examining licensed behavioral health treatment provider may consult with the licensed behavioral health treatment provider whose affirmation or affidavit accompanied the petition regarding the issues of whether the allegations in the petition are true and whether the person meets the criteria for assisted outpatient treatment.

(4) The person who is the subject of the petition shall have all of the following rights:

(A) To adequate notice of the hearings to the person who is the subject of the petition, as well as to parties designated by the person who is the subject of the petition, including a surrogate, agent, supporter, or health care advocate.

(B) To receive a copy of the court-ordered evaluation.

(D) To be informed of the right to judicial review by habeas corpus.

(E) To be present at the hearing unless the person waives the right to be present.

(F) To present evidence.

(G) To call witnesses on the person’s behalf.

(H) To cross-examine witnesses.

(I) To appeal decisions, and to be informed of the right to appeal.

(5) (A) If, after hearing all relevant evidence, the court finds that the person who is the subject of the petition does not meet the criteria for assisted outpatient treatment, the court shall dismiss the petition.

(B) If, after hearing all relevant evidence, the court finds that the person who is the subject of the petition meets the criteria for assisted outpatient treatment, and there is no appropriate and feasible less restrictive alternative, the court may order the person who is the subject of the petition to receive assisted outpatient treatment for an initial period not to exceed six months. In fashioning the order, the court shall specify that the proposed treatment is the least restrictive treatment appropriate and feasible for the person who is the subject of the petition. The order shall state the categories of assisted outpatient treatment, as set forth in Section 5348, that the person who is the subject of the petition is to receive, and the court may not order treatment that has not been recommended by the examining licensed behavioral health treatment provider and included in the written treatment plan for assisted outpatient treatment as required by subdivision (e). If the person has executed an advance health care directive or psychiatric advance directive pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 4650) of Part 1 of Division 4.7 of the Probate Code, any directions included in the advance health care directive or psychiatric advance directive shall be considered in formulating the written treatment plan.

(C) The court may conduct status hearings with the person and the treatment team to receive information regarding progress related to the categories of treatment listed in the treatment plan and may inquire about medication adherence.

(6) If the person who is the subject of a petition for an order for assisted outpatient treatment pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (5) refuses to participate in the assisted outpatient treatment program, the court may order the person to meet with the assisted outpatient treatment team designated by the director of the assisted outpatient treatment program. The treatment team shall attempt to gain the person’s cooperation with treatment ordered by the court. The person may be subject to a 72-hour hold pursuant to subdivision (f) only after the treatment team has attempted to gain the person’s cooperation with treatment ordered by the court, and has been unable to do so.

(e) Assisted outpatient treatment shall not be ordered unless the licensed behavioral health treatment provider recommending assisted outpatient treatment to the court has submitted to the court a written treatment plan that includes services as set forth in Section 5348, and the court finds, in consultation with the county behavioral health director, or the director’s designee, all of the following:

(1) That the services are available from the county, or a provider approved by the county, for the duration of the court order.

(2) That the services have been offered to the person by the local director of behavioral health, or the director’s designee, and the person has been given an opportunity to participate on a voluntary basis, and the person has failed to engage in, or has refused, treatment.

(3) That all of the elements of the petition required by this article have been met.

(4) That the treatment plan will be delivered to the county behavioral health director, or to the director’s appropriate designee.

(f) If, in the clinical judgment of a licensed behavioral health treatment provider, the person who is the subject of the petition has failed or has refused to comply with the treatment ordered by the court, and, in the clinical judgment of the licensed behavioral health treatment provider, efforts were made to solicit compliance, and, in the clinical judgment of the licensed behavioral health treatment provider, the person may be in need of involuntary admission to a hospital for evaluation, the provider may request that persons designated under Section 5150 take into custody the person who is the subject of the petition and transport the person, or cause the person to be transported, to a hospital, to be held up to 72 hours for examination by a licensed behavioral health treatment provider to determine if the person is in need of treatment pursuant to Section 5150. Any continued involuntary retention in a hospital beyond the initial 72-hour period shall be pursuant to Section 5150. If at any time during the 72-hour period the person is determined not to meet the criteria of Section 5150, and does not agree to stay in the hospital as a voluntary patient, the person shall be released and any subsequent involuntary detention in a hospital shall be pursuant to Section 5150. Failure to comply with an order of assisted outpatient treatment alone may not be grounds for involuntary civil commitment or a finding that the person who is the subject of the petition is in contempt of court.

(g) If the director of the assisted outpatient treatment program determines that the condition of the patient requires further assisted outpatient treatment, the director shall apply to the court, prior to the expiration of the period of the initial assisted outpatient treatment order, for an order authorizing continued assisted outpatient treatment for a period not to exceed 180 days from the date of the order. The procedures for obtaining an order pursuant to this subdivision shall be in accordance with subdivisions (a) to (f), inclusive. The period for further involuntary outpatient treatment authorized by a subsequent order under this subdivision may not exceed 180 days from the date of the order.

(h) (1) At intervals of not less than 60 days during an assisted outpatient treatment order, the director of the outpatient treatment program shall file an affidavit with the court that ordered the outpatient treatment affirming that the person who is the subject of the order continues to meet the criteria for assisted outpatient treatment. At these times, the person who is the subject of the order shall have the right to a hearing on whether or not the person still meets the criteria for assisted outpatient treatment if they disagree with the director’s affidavit. The burden of proof shall be on the director.

(2) When making the affidavit pursuant to paragraph (1), the director of the outpatient treatment program shall also report to the court on adherence to prescribed medication.

(i) During each 60-day period specified in subdivision (h), if the person who is the subject of the order believes that they are being wrongfully retained in the assisted outpatient treatment program against their wishes, the person may file a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, thus requiring the director of the assisted outpatient treatment program to prove that the person who is the subject of the order continues to meet the criteria for assisted outpatient treatment.

(j) A person ordered to undergo assisted outpatient treatment pursuant to this article, who was not present at the hearing at which the order was issued, may immediately petition the court for a writ of habeas corpus. Treatment under the order for assisted outpatient treatment may not commence until the resolution of that petition.

(k) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2021.

SEC. 33.

Section 5350 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

5350.

A conservator of the person, of the estate, or of the person and the estate may be appointed for a person who is gravely disabled as a result of a behavioral health disorder or impairment by chronic alcoholism.

The procedure for establishing, administering, and terminating a conservatorship under this chapter shall be the same as that provided in Division 4 (commencing with Section 1400) of the Probate Code, except as follows:

(a) A conservator may be appointed for a gravely disabled minor.

(b) (1) Appointment of a conservator under this part, including the appointment of a conservator for a person who is gravely disabled, as defined in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (h) of Section 5008, shall be subject to the list of priorities in Section 1812 of the Probate Code unless the officer providing conservatorship investigation recommends otherwise to the superior court.

(2) In appointing a conservator for a person who is gravely disabled, as defined in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (h) of Section 5008, the court shall consider the purposes of protection of the public and the treatment of the conservatee. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the court shall not appoint the proposed conservator if the court determines that appointment of the proposed conservator will not result in adequate protection of the public.

(c) A conservatorship of the estate pursuant to this chapter shall not be established if a conservatorship or guardianship of the estate exists under the Probate Code. When a gravely disabled person already has a guardian or conservator of the person appointed under the Probate Code, the proceedings under this chapter shall not terminate the prior proceedings but shall be concurrent with and superior thereto. The superior court may appoint the existing guardian or conservator of the person or another person as conservator of the person under this chapter.

(d) (1) The person for whom conservatorship is sought shall have the right to demand a court or jury trial on the issue of whether the person is gravely disabled. Demand for court or jury trial shall be made within five days following the hearing on the conservatorship petition. If the proposed conservatee demands a court or jury trial before the date of the hearing as provided for in Section 5365, the demand shall constitute a waiver of the hearing.

(2) Court or jury trial shall commence within 10 days of the date of the demand, except that the court shall continue the trial date for a period not to exceed 15 days upon the request of counsel for the proposed conservatee. Failure to commence the trial within that period of time is grounds for dismissal of the conservatorship proceedings.

(3) This right shall also apply in subsequent proceedings to reestablish conservatorship.

(e) (1) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (h) of Section 5008, a person is not “gravely disabled” if that person can survive safely without involuntary detention with the help of responsible family, friends, or others who are both willing and able to help provide for the person’s basic personal needs.

(2) However, unless they specifically indicate in writing their willingness and ability to help, family, friends, or others shall not be considered willing or able to provide this help.

(3) The purpose of this subdivision is to avoid the necessity for, and the harmful effects of, requiring family, friends, and others to publicly state, and requiring the court to publicly find, that no one is willing or able to assist a person with a behavioral health disorder in providing for the person’s basic needs for food, clothing, or shelter.

(4) This subdivision does not apply to a person who is gravely disabled, as defined in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (h) of Section 5008.

(f) Conservatorship investigation shall be conducted pursuant to this part and shall not be subject to Section 1826 or Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 1850) of Part 3 of Division 4 of the Probate Code.

(g) Notice of proceedings under this chapter shall be given to a guardian or conservator of the person or estate of the proposed conservatee appointed under the Probate Code.

(h) As otherwise provided in this chapter.

SEC. 34.

Section 5354 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

5354.

(a) The officer providing conservatorship investigation shall investigate all available alternatives to conservatorship, including, but not limited to, assisted outpatient treatment pursuant to Section 5346 and the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act program pursuant to Section 5978, as applicable, and shall recommend conservatorship to the court only if no suitable alternatives are available. This officer shall render to the court a written report of the investigation prior to the hearing. The report to the court shall be comprehensive and shall contain all relevant aspects of the person’s medical, psychological, financial, family, vocational, and social condition, and information obtained from the person’s family members, close friends, social worker, or principal therapist. The report shall also contain all available information concerning the person’s real and personal property. The facilities providing intensive treatment or comprehensive evaluation shall disclose any records or information that may facilitate the investigation. If the officer providing the conservatorship investigation recommends either for or against conservatorship, the officer shall set forth all alternatives available, including conservatorship, assisted outpatient treatment pursuant to Section 5346 and the CARE Act program pursuant to Section 5978, as applicable, and all other less restrictive alternatives. A copy of the report shall be transmitted to the individual who originally recommended conservatorship, to the person or agency, if any, recommended to serve as conservator, and to the person recommended for conservatorship. The court may receive the report in evidence and may read and consider the contents thereof in rendering its judgment.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 5328, when a court with jurisdiction over a person in a criminal case orders an evaluation of the person’s behavioral health condition pursuant to Section 5200, and that evaluation leads to a conservatorship investigation, the officer providing the conservatorship investigation shall serve a copy of the report required under subdivision (a) upon the defendant or the defendant’s counsel. Upon the prior written request of the defendant or the defendant’s counsel, the officer providing the conservatorship investigation shall also submit a copy of the report to the court hearing the criminal case, the district attorney, and the county probation department. The conservatorship investigation report and the information contained in that report, shall be kept confidential and shall not be further disclosed to anyone without the prior written consent of the defendant. After disposition of the criminal case, the court shall place all copies of the report in a sealed file, except as follows:

(1) The defendant and the defendant’s counsel may retain their copy.

(2) If the defendant is placed on probation status, the county probation department may retain a copy of the report for the purpose of supervision of the defendant until the probation is terminated, at which time the probation department shall return its copy of the report to the court for placement into the sealed file.

SEC. 35.

Section 5585.20 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

5585.20.

This part shall apply only to the initial 72 hours of behavioral health evaluation and treatment provided to a minor. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (Part 1 (commencing with Section 5000)), unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions and procedures contained in this part shall, for the initial 72 hours of evaluation and treatment, govern the construction of state law governing the civil commitment of minors for involuntary treatment. To the extent that this part conflicts with any other law, it is the intent of the Legislature that this part shall apply. Evaluation and treatment of a minor beyond the initial 72 hours shall be pursuant to the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (Part 1 (commencing with Section 5000)).

SEC. 36.

Section 5971 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

5971.

Unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions shall govern the construction of this part.

(a) “CARE agreement” means a voluntary settlement agreement entered into by the parties. A CARE agreement includes the same elements as a CARE plan to support the respondent in accessing community-based services and supports.

(b) “CARE plan” means an individualized, appropriate range of community-based services and supports, as set forth in this part, which include clinically appropriate behavioral health care and stabilization medications, housing, a psychiatric advance directive, and other supportive services, as appropriate, pursuant to Section 5982.

(d) “Counsel” means the attorney representing the respondent, appointed pursuant to Section 5977, or chosen by the respondent, in CARE Act proceedings and matters related to CARE agreements and CARE plans. Representation of a respondent in these matters does not alter counsel’s obligations under the State Bar Act and the Rules of Professional Conduct, including subdivision (e) of Section 6068 of the Business and Professions Code and ~~rule~~ Rule 1.6 of the Rules of Professional Conduct.

(e) “County behavioral health agency” means the local director of behavioral health services described in Section 5607, the local behavioral health director, or both as applicable, or their designee.

(f) “Court-ordered evaluation” means an evaluation ordered by a superior court pursuant to Section 5977.1.

(g) “Department” means the State Department of Health Care Services.

(h) “Graduation plan” means a voluntary agreement entered into by the parties at the end of the CARE program that includes a strategy to support a successful transition out of court jurisdiction and that may include a psychiatric advance directive. A graduation plan includes the same elements as a CARE plan to support the respondent in accessing community-based services and supports. The graduation plan shall not place additional requirements on the local government entities and is not enforceable by the court.

(i) “Health care advocate” for a psychiatric advance directive (PAD) means an individual chosen by the person creating the PAD who is in agreement to uphold the person’s preferences for treatment in the case of a behavioral health crisis. The health care advocate’s acceptance of appointment does not allow for power of attorney for health care decisions. The health care advocate’s appointment is considered valid with a legal signature on the written or digital PAD.

(j) “Homeless outreach worker” means a person who engages people experiencing homelessness to assess for unmet needs, offer information, services, or other assistance, or provide care coordination.

(k) “Indian health care provider” means a health care program operated by the Indian Health Service, an Indian tribe, a tribal organization, or urban Indian organization (I/T/U) as those terms are defined in Section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. Sec. 1603).

(l) “Legal proceeding” means any administrative, civil, or criminal proceeding, including, but not limited to, juvenile court proceedings and family court proceedings and services, and any form of alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration and mediation, except for the following:

(1) A proceeding under this part.

(2) A proceeding under the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act described in paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 5979.

(3) A proceeding from which the respondent was referred to CARE Act proceedings as described in Section 5978.

(4) A disciplinary proceeding under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 6000) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code.

(5) An appeal from any of the proceedings identified in paragraphs (1) through (4), inclusive.

(m) “Licensed behavioral health professional” means either of the following:

(1) A licensed mental health professional, as defined in subdivision (j) of Section 4096.

(2) A person who has been granted a waiver of licensure requirements by the department pursuant to Section 5751.2.

(n) “Parties” means the petitioner, the respondent, the county behavioral health agency in the county where proceedings under this part are pending, and any local governmental entity added by the court pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 5977.1.

(o) “Petitioner” means the person who files the CARE Act petition with the court. Additionally, if the petitioner is a person listed in Section 5974 other than the director of a county behavioral health agency, or their designee, the petitioner shall have the right to file a petition with the court, but at the initial hearing the court shall substitute the director of a county behavioral health agency, or their designee, of the county in which the proceedings are filed as petitioner. The original petitioner may, at the court’s discretion and in furtherance of the interests of the respondent, retain rights as described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (6) of subdivision (b) of Section 5977.

(p) “Psychiatric advance directive” means a legal written or digital document, executed on a voluntary basis in accordance with the requirements for advance health care directives in Division 4.7 (commencing with Section 4600) of the Probate Code by a person who has the capacity to make physical and behavioral health decisions, that allows a person with behavioral health illness to protect their autonomy and ability to direct their own care by documenting their preferences for treatment and identifying a health care advocate in advance of a behavioral health crisis. has the same meaning as defined in Section 4679 of the Probate Code.

(q) “Respondent” means the person who is the subject of the petition for the CARE process.

(r) “Stabilization medications” means medications included in the CARE plan that primarily consist of antipsychotic medications to reduce symptoms of hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. Stabilization medications may be administered as long-acting injections if clinically indicated. Stabilization medications shall not be forcibly administered.

(s) “Supporter” means an adult designated by the respondent, when a health care advocate has not been chosen, who assists the person who is the subject of the petition, which assistance may include supporting the person to understand, make, communicate, implement, or act on their own life decisions during the CARE process, including a CARE agreement, a CARE plan, and developing a graduation plan. A supporter shall not act independently.

SEC. 37.

Section 5977.3 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

5977.3.

(a) (1) In the 11th month of the process timeline, the court shall hold a one-year status hearing. Not fewer than five court days prior to the one-year status hearing, the county behavioral health agency shall file a report with the court and shall serve the report on the respondent and the respondent’s counsel and supporter. The report shall include the following information:

(A) The progress that the respondent has made on the CARE plan, including a final assessment of the respondent’s stability.

(B) What services and supports in the CARE plan were provided, and what services and supports were not provided, over the life of the program.

(D) Recommendations for next steps, including what ongoing and additional services would benefit the respondent that the county behavioral health agency can facilitate or provide.

(2) At an evidentiary hearing, the respondent shall be permitted to respond to the report submitted by the county behavioral health agency and to the county behavioral health agency’s testimony. ~~Respondent~~ The respondent shall be permitted to introduce their own information and recommendations. The respondent shall have the right at the hearing to call witnesses and to present evidence as to whether the respondent agrees with the report. The respondent may request either to be graduated from the program or to remain in the program.

(3) The court shall issue an order as follows:

(A) If the respondent elects to be graduated from the program, the court shall order the county behavioral health agency and the respondent to work jointly on a voluntary graduation plan. The court shall schedule a hearing in the 12th month after adoption of the CARE plan for presentation of the graduation plan. The court shall review the graduation plan and recite the terms in open court. The graduation plan shall not place additional requirements on local governmental entities and is not enforceable by the court, except that the graduation plan may, at the respondent’s election, include a psychiatric advance directive, as defined in Section 4679 of the Probate Code. Upon completion of the hearing, the respondent shall be officially graduated from the program.

(B) If the respondent elects to remain in the CARE process, the respondent may request any amount of time, up to and including one additional year. The court may permit the ongoing voluntary participation of the respondent if the court finds both of the following:

(i) The respondent did not successfully complete the CARE plan.

(ii) The respondent would benefit from continuation of the CARE plan.

(C) The court shall issue an order permitting the respondent to continue in the CARE plan or denying the respondent’s request to remain in the CARE plan, and state its reasons in open court.

(b) The respondent may be involuntarily reappointed to the program only if the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that all of the following conditions apply:

(1) The respondent did not successfully complete the CARE process.

(2) All services and supports required through the CARE process were provided to the respondent.

(3) The respondent would benefit from continuation in the CARE process.

(4) The respondent currently meets the requirements in Section 5972.

SEC. 38.

Section 5980 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

5980.

(a) Subject to appropriation, the department, in consultation with disability rights groups, county behavioral health and aging agencies, individuals with lived expertise, families, racial justice experts, and other appropriate stakeholders, shall provide optional training and technical resources for volunteer supporters on the CARE process, community services and supports, supported decisionmaking, people with behavioral health conditions, trauma-informed care, family psychoeducation, and psychiatric advance directives. The department may consult with other state and national public and nonprofit agencies and organizations and the Judicial Council to align supported decisionmaking training with best practices for persons with behavioral health illnesses, intellectual and developmental disabilities, other disabilities, and older adults. The department may enter into a technical assistance and training agreement for this purpose, pursuant to Section 5984.

(b) The supporter shall do all of the following:

(1) Offer the respondent a flexible and culturally responsive way to maintain autonomy and decisionmaking authority over their own life by developing and maintaining voluntary supports to assist them in understanding, making, communicating, and implementing their own informed choices.

(2) Strengthen the respondent’s capacity to engage in and exercise autonomous decisionmaking and prevent or remove the need to use more restrictive protective mechanisms, such as conservatorship.

(3) Assist the respondent with understanding, making, and communicating decisions and expressing preferences throughout the CARE process.

(4) Provide information to the respondent about advance health care directives or psychiatric advance directives.

SEC. 39.

Section 5981 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

5981.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, the respondent may have a supporter present in any meeting, judicial proceeding, status hearing, or communication related to any of the following:

(1) An evaluation.

(2) Development of a CARE agreement or CARE plan.

(3) Establishing a psychiatric advance directive.

(4) Interacting or communicating with the chosen health care advocate.

(5) Development of a graduation plan.

(b) A supporter is intended to do all the following:

(1) Support the will and preferences of the respondent to the best of their ability and to the extent reasonably possible.

(2) Respect the values, beliefs, and preferences of the respondent.

(3) Act honestly, diligently, and in good faith.

(4) Avoid, to the greatest extent possible, and disclose to the court, the respondent, and the respondent’s counsel, minimize, and manage, conflicts of interest. A court may remove a supporter because of any conflict of interest with the respondent, and shall remove the supporter if the conflict cannot be managed in such a way to avoid any possible harm to the respondent.

(c) Unless explicitly authorized by the respondent with capacity to make that authorization, a supporter shall not do any of the following:

(1) Make decisions for, or on behalf of, the respondent, except when necessary to prevent imminent bodily harm or injury.

(2) Sign documents on behalf of the respondent.

(3) Create a psychiatric advance directive.

(d) In addition to the obligations in this section, a supporter shall be bound by all existing obligations and prohibitions otherwise applicable by law that protect people with disabilities and the elderly from fraud, abuse, neglect, coercion, or mistreatment. This section does not limit a supporter’s civil or criminal liability for prohibited conduct against the respondent, including liability for fraud, abuse, neglect, coercion, or mistreatment, including liability under the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 15600) of Part 3 of Division 9), including, but not limited to, Sections 15656 and 15657.

(e) The supporter shall not be subpoenaed or called to testify against the respondent in any proceeding relating to this part, and the supporter’s presence at any meeting, proceeding, or communication shall not waive confidentiality or any privilege.

SEC. 40.

Section 5982 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

5982.

(a) The CARE plan may include only the following:

(1) Behavioral health services funded through the 1991 and 2011 Realignment, Medi-Cal behavioral health, health care plans and insurers, and services supported by the Mental Health Services Act pursuant to Part 3 (commencing with Section 5800).

(2) Medically necessary stabilization medications, to the extent not described in paragraph (1).

(3) A psychiatric advance directive.

(4) Housing resources funded through the No Place Like Home Program (Part 3.9 (commencing with Section 5849.1) of Division 5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code); California Housing Accelerator (Chapter 6.6 (commencing with Section 50672) of Part 2 of Division 31 of the Health and Safety Code); the Multifamily Housing Program (Chapter 6.7 (commencing with Section 50675) of Part 2 of Division 31 of the Health and Safety Code); the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program (Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 50216) of Part 1 of Division 31 of the Health and Safety Code); the Encampment Resolution Funding Program (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 50250) of Part 1 of Division 31 of the Health and Safety Code); the Project Roomkey and Rehousing Program pursuant to Provision 22 of Item 5180-151-0001 of the Budget Act of 2021 (Ch. 21, Stats. 2021); the Community Care Expansion Program (Chapter 20 (commencing with Section 18999.97) of Part 6 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code); the CalWORKs Housing Support Program (Article 3.3 (commencing with Section 11330) of Chapter 2 of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code); the CalWORKs Homeless Assistance pursuant to clause (i) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Section 11450 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code; the Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (Chapter 17 (commencing with Section 18999) of Part 6 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code); the Home Safe Program (Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 15770) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code); the Bringing Families Home Program (Article 6 (commencing with Section 16523) of Chapter 5 of Part 4 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code); the Transitional Housing Placement program for nonminor dependents (Article 4 (commencing with Section 16522) of Chapter 5 of Part 4 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code); the Transitional Housing Program-Plus pursuant to subdivision (s) of Section 11400 and paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 11403.2 of Article 5 of Chapter 2 of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code and Article 4 (commencing with Section 16522) of Chapter 5 of Part 4 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code; the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 5960) of Part 7 of Division 5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code); the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program; HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (Section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. Section 1437f(o)(19)]); Supportive Services for Veteran Families (Section 604 of the Veterans’ Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 [38 U.S.C. Sec. 2044]); the HUD Continuum of Care program (Section 103 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act [42 U.S.C. Sec. 11302]); the Emergency Solutions Grant (Subtitle B of Title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act [42 U.S.C. Secs. 11371-11378]); the HUD Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. Sec. 1437f]); the Emergency Housing Vouchers program (Section 3202 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ~~[Public Law 117-2];~~ [Public Law 117-2]); Section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. Sec. 1437f(o)]); HOME Investment Partnerships Program (Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act [42 U.S.C. Sec. 12721 et seq.]); the Community Development Block Grant Program (Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 [42 U.S.C. Sec. 5301 et seq.]); housing supported by the Mental Health Services Act pursuant to Part 3 (commencing with Section 5800); community development block grants; and other state and federal housing resources.

(5) Social services funded through Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP), Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), CalWORKs, California Food Assistance Program, In-Home Supportive Services program, and CalFresh.

(6) Services provided pursuant to Part 5 (commencing with Section 17000) of Division 9.

(b) Individuals who are CARE process participants shall be prioritized for any appropriate bridge housing funded by the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing program.

(c) If the county behavioral health agency elects not to enroll the respondent into a full service partnership, as defined in Section 3620 of Title 9 of the California Code of Regulations, the court may request information on the reasons for this and any barriers to enrollment.

(d) All CARE plan services and supports ordered by the court are subject to available funding and all applicable federal and state statutes and regulations, contractual provisions, and policy guidance governing initial and ongoing program eligibility. In addition to the resources funded through programs listed in subdivision (a), the State Department of Health Care Services may identify other adjacent covered Medi-Cal services, including, but not limited to, enhanced care management and available community supports, which may be suggested, although not ordered, by the court, subject to all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations, contractual provisions, and policy guidance.

(e) This section does not prevent a county or other local governmental entity from recommending their own services that are their own responsibility not listed in subdivision (a) or (c). Any such recommendation is not required by this section and shall be made at the request of the county for the purposes of Section 6 of Article XIII B, and Sections 6 and 36 of Article XIII of the California Constitution.

(f) (1) For respondents who are Medi-Cal beneficiaries, the county in which the respondent resides is the county of responsibility as defined in Section 1810.228 of Title 9 of the California Code of Regulations.

(2) If a proceeding commences in a county where the respondent is found or is facing criminal or civil proceedings that is different than the county in which the respondent resides, the county in which the respondent is found or is facing criminal or civil proceedings shall not delay proceedings under this part and is the responsible county behavioral health agency for providing or coordinating all components of the CARE agreement or CARE plan.

(3) The county in which the respondent resides, as defined in paragraph (1), shall be responsible for the costs of providing all CARE agreement or CARE plan behavioral health services, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a).

(4) In the event of a dispute over responsibility for any costs of providing components of the CARE agreement or CARE plan, the impacted counties shall resolve the dispute in accordance with the arbitration process established in Section 1850.405 of Title 9 of the California Code of Regulations for county mental health plans, including for respondents who are not Medi-Cal beneficiaries, and pursuant to any related guidance issued pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 5984.

SEC. 41.

Section 16501.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

16501.1.

(a) (1) The Legislature finds and declares that the foundation and central unifying tool in child welfare services is the case plan.

(2) The Legislature further finds and declares that a case plan ensures that the child receives protection and safe and proper care and case management, and that services are provided to the child and parents or other caretakers, as appropriate, in order to improve conditions in the parent’s home, to facilitate the safe return of the child to a safe home or the permanent placement of the child, and to address the needs of the child while in foster care.

(3) The agency shall consider and document the recommendations of the child and family team, as defined in Section 16501, if any are available. The agency shall document the rationale for any inconsistencies between the case plan and the child and family team recommendations.

(b) (1) A case plan shall be based upon the principles of this section and the input from the child and family team.

(2) The case plan shall document that a preplacement assessment of the service needs of the child and family, and preplacement preventive services, have been provided, and that reasonable efforts to prevent out-of-home placement have been made. Preplacement services may include intensive behavioral health services in the home or a community setting and the reasonable efforts made to prevent out-of-home placement.

(3) In determining the reasonable services to be offered or provided, the child’s health and safety shall be the paramount concerns.

(4) Upon a determination pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (e) of Section 361.5 that reasonable services will be offered to a parent who is incarcerated in a county jail or state prison, detained by the United States Department of Homeland Security, or deported to their country of origin, the case plan shall include information, to the extent possible, about a parent’s incarceration in a county jail or the state prison, detention by the United States Department of Homeland Security, or deportation during the time that a minor child of that parent is involved in dependency care.

(5) Reasonable services shall be offered or provided to make it possible for a child to return to a safe home environment, unless, pursuant to subdivisions (b) and (e) of Section 361.5, the court determines that reunification services shall not be provided.

(6) If reasonable services are not ordered, or are terminated, reasonable efforts shall be made to place the child in a timely manner in accordance with the permanent plan and to complete all steps necessary to finalize the permanent placement of the child.

(c) If out-of-home placement is used to attain case plan goals, the case plan shall consider the recommendations of the child and family team.

(d) (1) The case plan shall include a description of the type of home or institution in which the child is to be placed, and the reasons for that placement decision. The decision regarding choice of placement shall be based upon selection of a safe setting that is the least restrictive family setting that promotes normal childhood experiences and the most appropriate setting that meets the child’s individual needs and is available, in proximity to the parent’s home, in proximity to the child’s school, and consistent with the selection of the environment best suited to meet the child’s special needs and best interests. The selection shall consider, in order of priority, placement with relatives, nonrelative extended family members, and tribal members; foster family homes, resource families, and approved or certified homes of foster family agencies; followed by intensive services for foster care homes; or multidimensional treatment foster care homes or therapeutic foster care homes; group care placements in the order of short-term residential therapeutic programs, group homes, community treatment facilities, and out-of-state residential treatment pursuant to Part 5 (commencing with Section 7900) of Division 12 of the Family Code.

(2) If a short-term residential therapeutic program placement is selected for a child or nonminor dependent, the case plan shall indicate the needs, including the needs as identified by the qualified individual pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 4096, of the child or nonminor dependent that necessitate this placement, the plan for transitioning the child or nonminor dependent to a less restrictive environment, and the projected timeline by which the child or nonminor dependent will be transitioned to a less restrictive environment, and the plan for aftercare services for at least six months postdischarge to a family-based setting, as required by Section 4096.6. The six months postdischarge requirement is inapplicable to the Medi-Cal component of the aftercare services, which shall be provided for the length of time the child needs specialty behavioral health services based on medical necessity criteria and other state and federal requirements. This section of the case plan shall be reviewed and updated at least semiannually.

(A) The case plan for placements in a group home, or commencing January 1, 2017, in a short-term residential therapeutic program, shall indicate that the county has taken into consideration Section 16010.8.

(B) (i) After January 1, 2017, a child and family team meeting as described in Section 16501 shall be convened by the county placing agency for the purpose of identifying the supports and services needed to achieve permanency and enable the child or youth to be placed in the least restrictive family setting that promotes normal childhood experiences.

(ii) Child and family teams shall be provided written or electronic information developed by the department describing services and activities, including specialized permanency services, shown to be effective in achieving and sustaining permanency for all children, youth, and nonminor dependents.

(C) On and after October 1, 2021, within 30 days of placement in a short-term residential therapeutic program, and, on and after July 1, 2022, within 30 days of placement in a community treatment facility, the case plan shall document all of the following:

(i) The reasonable and good faith effort by the social worker to identify and include all required individuals in the child and family team.

(ii) All contact information for members of the child and family team, as well as contact information for other relatives and nonrelative extended family members who are not part of the child and family team.

(iii) Evidence that meetings of the child and family team, including the meetings related to the determination required under Section 4096, are held at a time and place convenient for the family.

(iv) If reunification is the goal, evidence that the parent from whom the child was removed provided input on the members of the child and family team.

(v) Evidence that the determination required under subdivision (g) of Section 4096 was conducted in conjunction with the child and family team.

(vi) The placement preferences of the child or nonminor dependent and the child and family team relative to the determination and, if the placement preferences of the child or nonminor dependent or the child and family team are not the placement setting recommended by the qualified individual conducting the determination, the reasons why the preferences of the team or the child or nonminor dependent were not recommended.

(D) Following the court review pursuant to Section 361.22, the case plan shall document the court’s approval or disapproval of the placement.

(E) When the child or nonminor dependent has been placed in a short-term residential therapeutic program or a community treatment facility, as applicable, for more than 12 consecutive months or 18 nonconsecutive months, or, in the case of a child who has not attained 13 years of age, for more than 6 consecutive or nonconsecutive months, the case plan shall include both of the following:

(i) Documentation of the information submitted to the court pursuant to subdivision (l) of Section 366.1, subdivision (k) of Section 366.3, or paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 366.31, as applicable.

(ii) Documentation that the deputy director or director of the county child welfare department has approved the continued placement of the child or nonminor dependent in the setting.

(F) On and after October 1, 2021, prior to discharge from a short-term residential therapeutic program, and, on and after July 1, 2022, prior to discharge from a community treatment facility, the case plan shall include both of the following:

(i) A description of the type of in-home or institution-based services to encourage the safety, stability, and appropriateness of the next placement, including the recommendations of the child and family team, if available.

(ii) A plan, developed in collaboration with the short-term residential therapeutic program or community treatment facility, as applicable, for the provision of discharge planning and family-based aftercare support pursuant to Section 4096.6.

(3) On or after January 1, 2012, for a nonminor dependent, as defined in subdivision (v) of Section 11400, who is receiving AFDC-FC benefits and who is up to 21 years of age pursuant to Section 11403, in addition to the above requirements, the selection of the placement, including a supervised independent living placement, as described in subdivision (w) of Section 11400, shall also be based upon the developmental needs of young adults by providing opportunities to have incremental responsibilities that prepare a nonminor dependent to transition to successful adulthood. If admission to, or continuation in, a group home or short-term residential therapeutic program placement is being considered for a nonminor dependent, the group home or short-term residential therapeutic program placement approval decision shall include a youth-driven, team-based case planning process, as defined by the department, in consultation with stakeholders. The case plan shall consider the full range of placement options, and shall specify why admission to, or continuation in, a group home or short-term residential therapeutic program placement is the best alternative available at the time to meet the special needs or well-being of the nonminor dependent, and how the placement will contribute to the nonminor dependent’s transition to successful adulthood. The case plan shall specify the treatment strategies that will be used to prepare the nonminor dependent for discharge to a less restrictive family setting that promotes normal childhood experiences, including a target date for discharge from the group home or short-term residential therapeutic program placement. The placement shall be reviewed and updated on a regular, periodic basis to ensure that continuation in the group home or short-term residential therapeutic program placement remains in the best interests of the nonminor dependent and that progress is being made in achieving case plan goals leading to successful adulthood. The group home or short-term residential therapeutic program placement planning process shall begin as soon as it becomes clear to the county welfare department or probation office that a foster child in group home or short-term residential therapeutic program placement is likely to remain in group home or short-term residential therapeutic program placement on their 18th birthday, in order to expedite the transition to a less restrictive family setting that promotes normal childhood experiences, if the child becomes a nonminor dependent. The case planning process shall include informing the youth of all of the options, including, but not limited to, admission to or continuation in a group home or short-term residential therapeutic program placement.

(4) Consideration for continuation of existing group home placement for a nonminor dependent under 19 years of age may include the need to stay in the same placement in order to complete high school. After a nonminor dependent either completes high school or attains their 19th birthday, whichever is earlier, continuation in or admission to a group home placement is prohibited unless the nonminor dependent satisfies the conditions of paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of Section 11403, and group home placement functions as a short-term transition to the appropriate system of care. Treatment services provided by the group home placement to the nonminor dependent to alleviate or ameliorate the medical condition, as described in paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of Section 11403, shall not constitute the sole basis to disqualify a nonminor dependent from the group home placement.

(5) In addition to the requirements of paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, and taking into account other statutory considerations regarding placement, the selection of the most appropriate home that will meet the child’s special needs and best interests shall also promote educational stability by taking into consideration proximity to the child’s school of origin, and school attendance area, the number of school transfers the child has previously experienced, and the child’s school matriculation schedule, in addition to other indicators of educational stability that the Legislature hereby encourages the State Department of Social Services and the State Department of Education to develop.

(e) A written case plan shall be completed within a maximum of 60 days of the initial removal of the child or of the in-person response required under subdivision (f) of Section 16501 if the child has not been removed from their home, or by the date of the dispositional hearing pursuant to Section 358, whichever occurs first. The case plan shall be updated, as the service needs of the child and family dictate. At a minimum, the case plan shall be updated in conjunction with each status review hearing conducted pursuant to Sections 364, 366, 366.3, and 366.31, and the hearing conducted pursuant to Section 366.26, but no less frequently than once every six months. Each updated case plan shall include a description of the services that have been provided to the child under the plan and an evaluation of the appropriateness and effectiveness of those services.

(1) It is the intent of the Legislature that extending the maximum time available for preparing a written case plan from 30 to 60 days will afford caseworkers time to actively engage families, and to solicit and integrate into the case plan the input of the child and the child’s family, as well as the input of relatives and other interested parties.

(2) The extension of the maximum time available for preparing a written case plan from 30 to 60 days shall be effective 90 days after the date that the department gives counties written notice that necessary changes have been made to the Child Welfare Services/Case Management System (CWS/CMS) to account for the 60-day timeframe for preparing a written case plan.

(f) The child welfare services case plan shall be comprehensive enough to meet the juvenile court dependency proceedings requirements pursuant to Article 6 (commencing with Section 300) of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 2.

(g) The case plan shall be developed considering the recommendations of the child and family team, as follows:

(1) The case plan shall be based upon an assessment of the circumstances that required child welfare services intervention. The child shall be involved in developing the case plan as age and developmentally appropriate.

(2) The case plan shall identify specific goals and the appropriateness of the planned services in meeting those goals.

(3) The case plan shall identify the original allegations of abuse or neglect, as defined in Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11164) of Chapter 2 of Title 1 of Part 4 of the Penal Code, or the conditions cited as the basis for declaring the child a dependent of the court pursuant to Section 300, or all of these, and the other precipitating incidents that led to child welfare services intervention.

(4) The case plan shall include a description of the schedule of the placement agency contacts with the child and the family or other caretakers. The frequency of these contacts shall be in accordance with regulations adopted by the State Department of Social Services. If the child has been placed in foster care out of state, the county social worker or probation officer, or a social worker or probation officer on the staff of the agency in the state in which the child has been placed, shall visit the child in a foster family home or the home of a relative, consistent with federal law and in accordance with the department’s approved state plan. If a child is placed in an out-of-state residential facility, as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 7910 of the Family Code, pursuant to Section 361.21 or 727.1, visits shall be conducted at least monthly, pursuant to Section 16516.5. At least once every six months, at the time of a regularly scheduled placement agency contact with the foster child, and at each placement change, the child’s social worker or probation officer shall inform the child, the care provider, and the child and family team, if applicable, of the child’s rights as a foster child, as specified in Section 16001.9, and shall provide a written copy of the rights to the child as part of the explanation. The social worker or probation officer shall provide the information to the child in a manner appropriate to the age or developmental level of the child. The social worker or probation officer shall document in the case plan that they have informed the child of, and have provided the child with a written copy of, the child’s rights.

(5) (A) When out-of-home services are used, the frequency of contact between the natural parents or legal guardians and the child shall be specified in the case plan. The frequency of those contacts shall reflect overall case goals, and consider other principles outlined in this section.

(B) Information regarding any court-ordered visitation between the child and the natural parents or legal guardians, and the terms and conditions needed to facilitate the visits while protecting the safety of the child, shall be provided to the child’s out-of-home caregiver as soon as possible after the court order is made.

(6) When out-of-home placement is made, the case plan shall include provisions for the development and maintenance of sibling relationships as specified in subdivisions (b), (c), and (d) of Section 16002. If appropriate, when siblings who are dependents of the juvenile court are not placed together, the social worker for each child, if different, shall communicate with each of the other social workers and ensure that the child’s siblings are informed of significant life events that occur within their extended family. Unless it has been determined that it is inappropriate in a particular case to keep siblings informed of significant life events that occur within the extended family, the social worker shall determine the appropriate means and setting for disclosure of this information to the child commensurate with the child’s age and emotional well-being. These significant life events shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

(A) The death of an immediate relative.

(B) The birth of a sibling.

(C) Significant changes regarding a dependent child, unless the child objects to the sharing of the information with their siblings, including changes in placement, major medical or behavioral health diagnoses, treatments, or hospitalizations, arrests, and changes in the permanent plan.

(7) If out-of-home placement is made in a foster family home, resource family home, group home, or other childcare institution that is either a substantial distance from the home of the child’s parent or out of state, the case plan shall specify the reasons why that placement is in the best interest of the child. When an out-of-state residential facility placement is recommended or made, the case plan shall, in addition, specify compliance with Section 16010.9 of this code and Section 7911.1 of the Family Code.

(8) A case plan shall ensure the educational stability of the child while in foster care and shall include both of the following:

(A) An assurance that the placement takes into account the appropriateness of the current educational setting and the proximity to the school in which the child is enrolled at the time of placement.

(B) An assurance that the placement agency has coordinated with the person holding the right to make educational decisions for the child and appropriate local educational agencies to ensure that the child remains in the school in which the child is enrolled at the time of placement or, if remaining in that school is not in the best interests of the child, assurances by the placement agency and the local educational agency to provide immediate and appropriate enrollment in a new school and to provide all of the child’s educational records to the new school.

(9) (A) If out-of-home services are used, or if parental rights have been terminated and the case plan is placement for adoption, the case plan shall include a recommendation regarding the appropriateness of unsupervised visitation between the child and any of the child’s siblings. This recommendation shall include a statement regarding the child’s and the siblings’ willingness to participate in unsupervised visitation. If the case plan includes a recommendation for unsupervised sibling visitation, the plan shall also note that information necessary to accomplish this visitation has been provided to the child or to the child’s siblings.

(B) Information regarding the schedule and frequency of the visits between the child and siblings, as well as any court-ordered terms and conditions needed to facilitate the visits while protecting the safety of the child, shall be provided to the child’s out-of-home caregiver as soon as possible after the court order is made.

(10) If out-of-home services are used and the goal is reunification, the case plan shall describe the services to be provided to assist in reunification and the services to be provided concurrently to achieve legal permanency if efforts to reunify fail. The plan shall also consider in-state and out-of-state placements, the importance of developing and maintaining sibling relationships pursuant to Section 16002, and the desire and willingness of the caregiver to provide legal permanency for the child if reunification is unsuccessful.

(11) If out-of-home services are used, the child has been in care for at least 12 months, and the goal is not adoptive placement, the case plan shall include documentation of the compelling reason or reasons why termination of parental rights is not in the child’s best interest. A determination completed or updated within the past 12 months by the department when it is acting as an adoption agency or by a licensed adoption agency that it is unlikely that the child will be adopted, or that one of the conditions described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 366.26 applies, shall be deemed a compelling reason.

(12) (A) Parents and legal guardians shall have an opportunity to review the case plan, and to sign it whenever possible, and then shall receive a copy of the plan. In a voluntary service or placement agreement, the parents or legal guardians shall be required to review and sign the case plan. Whenever possible, parents and legal guardians shall participate in the development of the case plan. Commencing January 1, 2012, for nonminor dependents, as defined in subdivision (v) of Section 11400, who are receiving AFDC-FC or CalWORKs assistance and who are up to 21 years of age pursuant to Section 11403, the transitional independent living case plan, as set forth in subdivision (y) of Section 11400, shall be developed with, and signed by, the nonminor.

(B) Parents and legal guardians shall be advised that, pursuant to Section 1228.1 of the Evidence Code, neither their signature on the child welfare services case plan nor their acceptance of any services prescribed in the child welfare services case plan shall constitute an admission of guilt or be used as evidence against the parent or legal guardian in a court of law. However, they shall also be advised that the parent’s or guardian’s failure to cooperate, except for good cause, in the provision of services specified in the child welfare services case plan may be used in any hearing held pursuant to Section 366.21, 366.22, or 366.25 of this code as evidence.

(13) (A) A child shall be given a meaningful opportunity to participate in the development of the case plan and state their preference for foster care placement. A child who is 12 years of age or older and in a permanent placement shall also be given the opportunity to review the case plan, sign the case plan, and receive a copy of the case plan.

(B) For a child who receives a copy of the case plan pursuant to subparagraph (A) and who speaks a primary language other than English, the case plan shall be translated and provided to the child in their primary language.

(14) The case plan shall be included in the court report, and shall be considered by the court at the initial hearing and each review hearing. Modifications to the case plan made during the period between review hearings need not be approved by the court if the casework supervisor for that case determines that the modifications further the goals of the plan. If out-of-home services are used with the goal of family reunification, the case plan shall consider and describe the application of subdivision (b) of Section 11203.

(15) (A) If the case plan has as its goal for the child a permanent plan of adoption, legal guardianship, or another planned permanent living arrangement, it shall include a statement of the child’s wishes regarding their permanent placement plan and an assessment of those stated wishes. The agency shall also include documentation of the steps the agency is taking to find an adoptive family or other permanent living arrangements for the child; to place the child with an adoptive family, an appropriate and willing relative, or a legal guardian, and to finalize the adoption or legal guardianship. At a minimum, the documentation shall include child-specific recruitment efforts, such as the use of state, regional, and national adoption exchanges, including electronic exchange systems, when the child has been freed for adoption. Regardless of whether the child has been freed for adoption, documentation shall include a description of any barriers to achieving legal permanence and the steps the agency will take to address those barriers. If a child has been in care for three years or more, the documentation shall include a description of the specialized permanency services used or, if specialized permanency services have not been used, a statement explaining why the agency chose not to provide these services. If the plan is for kinship guardianship, the case plan shall document how the child meets the kinship guardianship eligibility requirements.

(B) Specific elements of specialized permanency services may be included in the case plan as needed to meet the permanency needs of the individual child or nonminor dependent.

(C) When the child is 16 years of age or older and is in another planned permanent living arrangement, the case plan shall identify the intensive and ongoing efforts to return the child to the home of the parent, place the child for adoption, place the child for tribal customary adoption in the case of an Indian child, establish a legal guardianship, or place the child nonminor dependent with a fit and willing relative, as appropriate. Efforts shall include the use of technology, including social media, to find biological family members of the child.

(16) (A) (i) For a child who is 14 or 15 years of age, the case plan shall include a written description of the programs and services that will help the child, consistent with the child’s best interests, to prepare for the transition from foster care to successful adulthood. The description may be included in the document described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (18).

(ii) When appropriate, for a child who is 16 years of age or older and, commencing January 1, 2012, for a nonminor dependent, the case plan shall include the transitional independent living plan (TILP), a written description of the programs and services that will help the child, consistent with the child’s best interests, to prepare for the transition from foster care to successful adulthood, and, in addition, whether the youth has an in-progress application pending for Title XVI Supplemental Security Income benefits or for special immigrant juvenile status or other applicable application for legal residency and an active dependency case is required for that application. For a child who speaks a primary language other than English, the TILP shall be translated into their primary language. When appropriate, for a nonminor dependent, the transitional independent living case plan, as described in subdivision (y) of Section 11400, shall include the TILP, a written description of the programs and services that will help the nonminor dependent, consistent with their best interests, to prepare for transition from foster care and assist the youth in meeting the eligibility criteria set forth in paragraphs (1) to (5), inclusive, of subdivision (b) of Section 11403. If applicable, the case plan shall describe the individualized supervision provided in the supervised independent living placement as defined in subdivision (w) of Section 11400. The case plan shall be developed with the child or nonminor dependent and individuals identified as important to the child or nonminor dependent, and shall include steps the agency is taking to ensure that the child or nonminor dependent achieves permanence, including maintaining or obtaining permanent connections to caring and committed adults.

(B) During the 90-day period prior to the participant attaining 18 years of age or older as the state may elect under Section 475(8)(B)(iii) of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 675(8)(B)(iii)), whether during that period foster care maintenance payments are being made on the child’s behalf or the child is receiving benefits or services under Section 477 of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 677), a caseworker or other appropriate agency staff or probation officer and other representatives of the participant, as appropriate, shall provide the youth or nonminor dependent with assistance and support in developing the written 90-day transition plan, that is personalized at the direction of the child, information as detailed as the participant elects that shall include, but not be limited to, options regarding housing, health insurance, education, local opportunities for mentors, creating a psychiatric advance directive and choosing a health care advocate, and continuing support services, and workforce supports and employment services, a power of attorney for health care, and information regarding the advance health care directive and psychiatric advance directive written or digital form. Information provided regarding health insurance options shall include verification that the eligible youth or nonminor dependent is enrolled in Medi-Cal and a description of the steps that have been or will be taken by the youth’s social worker or probation officer to ensure that the eligible youth or nonminor dependent is transitioned into the Medi-Cal program for former foster youth upon case closure with no interruption in coverage and with no new application being required, as provided in Section 14005.28.

(C) For youth 14 years of age or older, the case plan shall include documentation that a consumer credit report was requested annually from each of the three major credit reporting agencies at no charge to the youth and that any results were provided to the youth. For nonminor dependents, the case plan shall include documentation that the county assisted the nonminor dependent in obtaining their reports. The case plan shall include documentation of barriers, if any, to obtaining the credit reports. If the consumer credit report reveals any accounts, the case plan shall detail how the county ensured the youth received assistance with interpreting the credit report and resolving any inaccuracies, including any referrals made for the assistance.

(17) For youth 14 years of age or older and nonminor dependents, the case plan shall be developed in consultation with the youth. At the youth’s option, the consultation may include up to two members of the case planning team who are chosen by the youth and who are not foster parents of, or caseworkers for, the youth. The agency, at any time, may reject an individual selected by the youth to be a member of the case planning team if the agency has good cause to believe that the individual would not act in the youth’s best interest. One individual selected by the youth to be a member of the case planning team may be designated to be the youth’s adviser and advocate with respect to the application of the reasonable and prudent parent standard to the youth, as necessary.

(18) For youth in foster care 14 years of age or older and nonminor dependents, the case plan shall include both of the following:

(A) A document that describes the youth’s rights with respect to education, health, visitation, and court participation, the right to be annually provided with copies of their credit reports at no cost while in foster care pursuant to Section 10618.6, and the right to stay safe and avoid exploitation.

(B) A signed acknowledgment by the youth that they have been provided a copy of the document and that the rights described in the document have been explained to the youth in an age-appropriate manner.

(19) The case plan for a child or nonminor dependent who is, or who is at risk of becoming, the victim of commercial sexual exploitation, shall document the services provided to address that issue.

(20) For a youth in foster care 10 years of age or older who is in junior high, middle, or high school, or a nonminor dependent enrolled in high school, the case plan shall be reviewed annually, and updated as needed, to indicate that the case management worker has verified that the youth or nonminor dependent received comprehensive sexual health education that meets the requirements established in Chapter 5.6 (commencing with Section 51930) of Part 28 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, through the school system. The case plan shall document either of the following:

(A) For a youth in junior high or middle school, either that the youth has already received this instruction during junior high or middle school, or how the county will ensure that the youth receives the instruction at least once before completing junior high or middle school if the youth remains under the jurisdiction of the dependency court during this timeframe.

(B) For a youth or nonminor dependent in high school, either that the youth or nonminor dependent already received this instruction during high school, or how the county will ensure that the youth or nonminor dependent receives the instruction at least once before completing high school if the youth or nonminor dependent remains under the jurisdiction of the dependency court during this timeframe.

(21) (A) For a youth in foster care 10 years of age or older or a nonminor dependent, the case plan shall be updated annually to indicate that the case management worker has done all of the following:

(i) Informed the youth or nonminor dependent that they may access age-appropriate, medically accurate information about reproductive and sexual health care, including, but not limited to, unplanned pregnancy prevention, abstinence, use of birth control, abortion, and the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.

(ii) Informed the youth or nonminor dependent, in an age- and developmentally appropriate manner, of their right to consent to sexual and reproductive health care services and their confidentiality rights regarding those services.

(iii) Informed the youth or nonminor dependent how to access reproductive and sexual health care services and facilitated access to that care, including by assisting with any identified barriers to care, as needed.

(B) This paragraph shall not be construed to affect any applicable confidentiality law.

(22) For a child who is 16 years of age or older and for a nonminor dependent, the case plan shall identify the person or persons, who may include the child’s high school counselor, Court-Appointed Special Advocate, guardian, or other adult, who shall be responsible for assisting the child or nonminor dependent with applications for postsecondary education and related financial aid, unless the child or nonminor dependent states that they do not want to pursue postsecondary education, including career or technical education. If, at any point in the future, the child or nonminor dependent expresses that they wish to pursue postsecondary education, the case plan shall be updated to identify an adult individual responsible for assisting the child or nonminor dependent with applications for postsecondary education and related financial aid.

(h) If the court finds, after considering the case plan, that unsupervised sibling visitation is appropriate and has been consented to, the court shall order that the child or the child’s siblings, the child’s current caregiver, and the child’s prospective adoptive parents, if applicable, be provided with information necessary to accomplish this visitation. This section does not require or prohibit the social worker’s facilitation, transportation, or supervision of visits between the child and their siblings.

(i) The case plan documentation on sibling placements required under this section shall not require modification of existing case plan forms until the Child Welfare Services/Case Management System (CWS/CMS) is implemented on a statewide basis.

(j) When a child is 10 years of age or older and has been in out-of-home placement for six months or longer, the case plan shall include an identification of individuals, other than the child’s siblings, who are important to the child and actions necessary to maintain the child’s relationships with those individuals, provided that those relationships are in the best interest of the child. The social worker or probation officer shall ask every child who is 10 years of age or older and who has been in out-of-home placement for six months or longer to identify individuals other than the child’s siblings who are important to the child, and may ask any other child to provide that information, or may seek that information from the child and family team, as appropriate. The social worker or probation officer shall make efforts to identify other individuals who are important to the child, consistent with the child’s best interests.

(k) The child’s caregiver shall be provided a copy of a plan outlining the child’s needs and services. The nonminor dependent’s caregiver shall be provided with a copy of the nonminor’s TILP.

(l) Each county shall ensure that the total number of visits made by caseworkers on a monthly basis to children in foster care during a federal fiscal year is not less than 95 percent of the total number of those visits that would occur if each child were visited once every month while in care and that the majority of the visits occur in the residence of the child. The county child welfare and probation departments shall comply with data reporting requirements that the department deems necessary to comply with the federal Child and Family Services Improvement Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-288) and the federal Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act (Public Law 112-34).

(m) The implementation and operation of the amendments to subdivision (i) enacted at the 2005–06 Regular Session shall be subject to appropriation through the budget process and by phase, as provided in Section 366.35.

SEC. 42.

Section 21001 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

21001.

The following definitions apply for purposes of this division:

(a) “Adult with a disability” means an adult with any disability, including an older adult with a disability or an age-related disability. Disability includes, but is not limited to, an intellectual or developmental disability, cognitive disability, communication disability, psychiatric disability, physical disability, sensory disability, learning disability, dementia, cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, major neurocognitive disorder, or chronic illness or condition.

(b) “Health care advocate” for a psychiatric advance directive (PAD) means an individual chosen by the person creating the PAD who is in agreement to uphold the person’s preferences for treatment in the case of a behavioral health crisis. The health care advocate’s acceptance of appointment does not allow for power of attorney for health care decisions. The health care advocate’s appointment is considered valid with a legal signature on the written or digital PAD.

(c) “Life decision” means any decision that affects the adult with a disability, including, but not limited to, a decision regarding any medical, psychological, financial, educational, living arrangement, access to home and community-based services, social, sexual, religious, or occupational matter.

(d)“Psychiatric advance directive” means a legal written or digital document, executed on a voluntary basis in accordance with the requirements for advance health care directives or psychiatric advance directives in Division 4.7 (commencing with Section 4600) of the Probate Code by a person who has the capacity to make physical and behavioral health decisions, that allows a person with behavioral health illness to protect their autonomy and ability to direct their own care by documenting their preferences for treatment and identifying a health care agent in advance of a behavioral health crisis.
(d) “Psychiatric advance directive” or “PAD” has the same meaning as defined in Section 4679 of the Probate Code.

(e) “Supported decisionmaking” means an individualized process of supporting and accommodating an adult with a disability to enable them to make life decisions without impeding the self-determination of the adult.

(f) “Supported decisionmaking agreement” means a voluntary, written or digital agreement, in plain language accessible to the adult with a disability and in conformance with Section 21005. A supported decisionmaking agreement shall be signed in conformance with subdivision (b) of Section 21005 and may be revoked orally, digitally, or in writing at any time by either party. A supported decisionmaking agreement may include images, be read aloud, or be video or audio recorded, in addition to the written or digital version.

(g) “Supporter” means one or more adults who meet the requirements in Section 21002 and who enter into a supported decisionmaking agreement to help the adult with a disability make decisions.

SEC. 43.

To the extent that this act has an overall effect of increasing the costs already borne by a local agency for programs or levels of service mandated by the 2011 Realignment Legislation within the meaning of Section 36 of Article XIII of the California Constitution, it shall apply to local agencies only to the extent that the state provides annual funding for the cost increase. Any new program or higher level of service provided by a local agency pursuant to this act above the level for which funding has been provided shall not require a subvention of funds by the state or otherwise be subject to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.

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