DIVISION 5. COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES 5000-5952›PART 1. THE LANTERMAN-PETRIS-SHORT ACT 5000-5556›CHAPTER 6.2. Mental Health Advocacy 5500-5556›ARTICLE 5. Access to Records 5540-5546
§ 5541
California Welfare and Institutions Code · 2020-11 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · California
(a) A specific authorization by the client or by the guardian ad litem is necessary for a county patients’ rights advocate to have access to, copy or otherwise use confidential records or information pertaining to the client. Such an authorization shall be given knowingly and voluntarily by a client or guardian ad litem and shall be in writing or be reduced to writing. The client or the guardian ad litem, whoever has entered into the agreement, may revoke such authorization at any time, either in writing or by oral declaration to the advocate.
(b) When specifically authorized by the client or the guardian ad litem, the county patients’ rights advocate may inspect and copy confidential client information and records.
(Added by Stats. 1981, Ch. 841, Sec. 7.)
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