CHA News

New Law Addresses Voluntary Psychiatric Care in Emergency Departments

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The California Department of Public Health reminds general acute care hospitals and acute psychiatric hospitals that, effective Jan. 1, they may not require, as a condition of admission, a person who voluntarily seeks care to be placed on an involuntary hold under Section 5150 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

While the new law does not preclude the use of involuntary holds, it clarifies that they are not a requirement for transferring a patient who voluntarily seeks mental health services.