A.B.2442

Summary

Existing law, the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, provides for the involuntary detention and treatment of persons with specified mental health disorders for the protection of the persons so committed. Under the act, when a person, as a result of a mental health disorder, is a danger to others, or to himself or herself, or gravely disabled, he or she may, upon probable cause, be taken into custody and placed in a facility designated by the county and approved by the State Department of Social Services for up to 72-hours for evaluation and treatment. Existing law requires specified mental health professionals to assess a person to determine whether the person can be properly served without being detained, and if so, to provide evaluation, crisis intervention, or other inpatient or outpatient services on a voluntary basis. This bill would further require that if a determination is made that a person may be treated without being detained, and if the person is experiencing homelessness, he or she shall also be provided written information about local housing options, employment opportunities, and available public social services. By imposing additional duties on counties, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. 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, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.