SB 782: Assisted outpatient treatment programs.
- Session Year: 2021-2022
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2021-05-05
The Assisted Outpatient Treatment Demonstration Project Act of 2002, known as Lauras Law, commencing January 1, 2022, requires each county to offer specified mental health programs, unless a county or group of counties opts out by a resolution passed by the governing body stating the reasons for opting out and any facts or circumstances relied on in making that decision. Existing law authorizes participating counties to pay for the services provided from moneys distributed to the counties from various continuously appropriated funds, including the Mental Health Services Fund, when included in a county plan, as specified. Existing law authorizes a court to order a person who is the subject of a petition filed pursuant to those provisions to obtain assisted outpatient treatment if the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that the facts stated in the petition are true and establish that specified criteria are met, including that the person has a history of lack of compliance with treatment for their mental illness, and that there has been a clinical determination that the person is unlikely to survive safely in the community without supervision. Existing law authorizes the petition to be filed by the county behavioral health director, or the directors 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, in accordance with prescribed procedures.
This bill would additionally authorize the filing of a petition to obtain assisted outpatient treatment under the existing petition procedures, for a conservatee or former conservatee, as specified, who would benefit from assisted outpatient treatment to reduce the risk of deteriorating mental health while living independently.
The Assisted Outpatient Treatment Demonstration Project Act of 2002, known as Lauras Law, commencing January 1, 2022, requires each county to offer specified mental health programs, unless a county or group of counties opts out by a resolution passed by the governing body stating the reasons for opting out and any facts or circumstances relied on in making that decision. Existing law authorizes participating counties to pay for the services provided from moneys distributed to the counties from various continuously appropriated funds, including the Mental Health Services Fund, when included in a county plan, as specified. Existing law authorizes a court to order a person who is the subject of a petition filed pursuant to those provisions to obtain assisted outpatient treatment if the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that the facts stated in the petition are true and establish that specified criteria are met, including that the person has a history of lack of compliance with treatment for their mental illness, and that there has been a clinical determination that the person is unlikely to survive safely in the community without supervision. Existing law authorizes the petition to be filed by the county behavioral health director, or the directors 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, in accordance with prescribed procedures.
This bill would additionally authorize the filing of a petition to obtain assisted outpatient treatment under the existing petition procedures, for a conservatee or former conservatee, as specified, who would benefit from assisted outpatient treatment to reduce the risk of deteriorating mental health while living independently.
The Assisted Outpatient Treatment Demonstration Project Act of 2002, known as Lauras Law, commencing January 1, 2022, requires each county to offer specified mental health programs, unless a county or group of counties opts out by a resolution passed by the governing body stating the reasons for opting out and any facts or circumstances relied on in making that decision. Existing law authorizes participating counties to pay for the services provided from moneys distributed to the counties from various continuously appropriated funds, including the Mental Health Services Fund, when included in a county plan, as specified. Existing law authorizes a court to order a person who is the subject of a petition filed pursuant to those provisions to obtain assisted outpatient treatment if the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that the facts stated in the petition are true and establish that specified criteria are met, including that the person has a history of lack of compliance with treatment for their mental illness, and that there has been a clinical determination that the person is unlikely to survive safely in the community without supervision. Existing law authorizes the petition to be filed by the county behavioral health director, or the directors 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, in accordance with prescribed procedures.
This bill would additionally authorize the filing of a petition to obtain assisted outpatient treatment under the existing petition procedures, for a conservatee or former conservatee, as specified, who would benefit from assisted outpatient treatment to reduce the risk of deteriorating mental health while living independently.
(a)In a county or group of counties where services are available available, as provided in Section 5348, and in accordance with the requirements of Section 5346, 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 at least one of the criteria set forth in subdivision (b) are satisfied.
(b)This section applies to a person who is either of the following:
(1)A conservatee under this part who is the subject of a pending petition to terminate a conservatorship who, if the petition is granted, would benefit from assisted outpatient treatment to reduce the risk of deteriorating mental health while living independently.
(2)A former conservatee under this part who was the subject of a petition to terminate conservatorship that was granted within the preceding 60 days, who would benefit from assisted outpatient treatment to reduce the risk of deteriorating mental health while continuing to live independently.
(a)(1)In a county or group of counties where services are available as provided in Section 5348, and in accordance with the requirements of Section 5346, 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 at least one of the criteria set forth in paragraph (2) subdivision (b) are satisfied.
(2)(b)This section applies to a person who is either of the following:
(A)(1)A conservatee under this part who is the subject of a pending petition to terminate a conservatorship who, if the petition is granted, would benefit from assisted outpatient treatment to reduce the risk of deteriorating mental health while living independently.
(B)(2)A former conservatee under this part who was the subject of a petition to terminate conservatorship that was granted within the preceding 60 days, who would benefit from assisted outpatient treatment to reduce the risk of deteriorating mental health while continuing to live independently.
(b)(1) A petition for an order authorizing assisted outpatient treatment may be filed by the county behavioral health director, or the directors 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 mental 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 mental 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 mental health treatment provider who is either supervising the treatment of, or treating for a mental 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 paragraph (2) of subdivision (a).(B)Facts that support the petitioners 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 persons 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)The petition shall be accompanied by an affidavit of a licensed mental health treatment provider designated by the local mental health director who shall state, if applicable, either of the following:(A)That the licensed mental 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 mental 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.(B)That, no more than 10 days prior to the filing of the petition, the licensed mental health treatment provider, or the providers 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 mental 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 mental 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.(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)Unless expertly provided otherwise, a petition filed pursuant to this section shall be subject to the procedures and requirements set forth in subdivisions (c) to (j), inclusive, of Section 5346.(a)(1)In a 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 at least one of the criteria set forth in paragraph (2) are satisfied.
(2)This section applies to a person who is either of the following:
(A)A conservatee who is the subject of a pending petition to terminate a conservatorship who, if the petition is granted, would benefit from assisted outpatient treatment to reduce the risk of deteriorating mental health while living independently.
(B)A former conservatee who was the subject of a petition to terminate conservatorship that was granted within the preceding 60 days, who would benefit from assisted outpatient treatment to reduce the risk of deteriorating mental health while continuing to live independently.
(b)(1) A petition for an order authorizing assisted outpatient treatment may be filed by the county behavioral health director, or the directors 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 mental 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 mental 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 mental health treatment provider who is either supervising the treatment of, or treating for a mental 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 paragraph (2) of subdivision (a).
(B)Facts that support the petitioners 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 persons 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)The petition shall be accompanied by an affidavit of a licensed mental health treatment provider designated by the local mental health director who shall state, if applicable, either of the following:
(A)That the licensed mental 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 mental 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.
(B)That, no more than 10 days prior to the filing of the petition, the licensed mental health treatment provider, or the providers 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 mental 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 mental 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.
(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)Unless expertly provided otherwise, a petition filed pursuant to this section shall be subject to the procedures and requirements set forth in subdivisions (c) to (j), inclusive, of Section 5346.
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Date
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Status
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| Jun 17, 2021 | Re-referred to Com. on RLS. pursuant to Assembly Rule 96. |
| May 20, 2021 | Referred to Coms. on HEALTH and JUD. |
| May 10, 2021 | In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk. |
| May 10, 2021 | Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 37. Noes 0. Page 1058.) Ordered to the Assembly. |
| May 6, 2021 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| May 5, 2021 | Read third time and amended. |
| May 5, 2021 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| May 4, 2021 | From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8. |
| Apr 21, 2021 | Set for hearing May 3. |
| Apr 7, 2021 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 0. Page 688.) (April 6). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Mar 26, 2021 | Set for hearing April 6. |
| Mar 25, 2021 | Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD. |
| Mar 24, 2021 | From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 11. Noes 0. Page 605.) (March 24). |
| Mar 16, 2021 | Set for hearing March 24. |
| Mar 3, 2021 | Referred to Coms. on HEALTH and JUD. |
| Feb 22, 2021 | Art. IV. Sec. 8(a) of the Constitution dispensed with. |
| Feb 22, 2021 | From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 24. |
| Feb 19, 2021 | Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| May 10, 2021 | Senate 3rd Reading SB782 Glazer et al. | Senate Floor |
Passed |
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