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Earlier editions: 2020-112018-11

DIVISION 5. COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES 5000-5987›PART 1. THE LANTERMAN-PETRIS-SHORT ACT 5000-5550›CHAPTER 6.2. Mental Health Advocacy 5500-5550›ARTICLE 3. County Advocates 5520-5525

§ 5520

California Welfare and Institutions Code · 2026 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · California

Each local mental health director shall appoint, or contract for the services of, one or more county patients’ rights advocates. The duties of these advocates shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(a) To receive and investigate complaints from or concerning recipients of mental health services residing in licensed health or community care facilities regarding abuse, unreasonable denial or punitive withholding of rights guaranteed under the provisions of Division 5 (commencing with Section 5000).

(b) To monitor mental health facilities, services and programs for compliance with statutory and regulatory patients’ rights provisions.

(c) To provide training and education about mental health law and patients’ rights to mental health providers.

(d) To ensure that recipients of mental health services in all licensed health and community care facilities are notified of their rights.

(e) To exchange information and cooperate with the patients’ rights program.

This section does not constitute a change in, but is declarative of the existing law.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 34, Sec. 109. (SB 1009) Effective June 27, 2012.)

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California Welfare and Institutions Code

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