SECTIONS 5585-5585.25 - California Statutes

WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE

SECTION 5585-5585.25

5585. This part shall be known as the Children's Civil Commitment
and Mental Health Treatment Act of 1988.

5585.10. This part shall be construed to promote the legislative
intent and purposes of this part as follows:
(a) To provide prompt evaluation and treatment of mentally
disordered minors, with particular priority given to seriously
emotionally disturbed children and adolescents.
(b) To safeguard the rights to due process for minors and their
families through judicial review.
(c) To provide individualized treatment, supervision, and
placement services for gravely disabled minors.
(d) To prevent severe and long-term mental disabilities among
minors through early identification, effective family service
interventions, and public education.

5585.20. This part shall apply only to the initial 72 hours of
mental health evaluation and treatment provided to a minor.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act
(Part 1 (commencing with Section 5000)), unless the context otherwise
requires, the definitions and procedures contained in this part
shall, for the initial 72 hours of evaluation and treatment, govern
the construction of state law governing the civil commitment of
minors for involuntary treatment. To the extent that this part
conflicts with any other provisions of law, it is the intent of the
Legislature that this part shall apply. Evaluation and treatment of a
minor beyond the initial 72 hours shall be pursuant to the
Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (Part 1 (commencing with Section 5000)).

5585.21. The Director of Mental Health may promulgate regulations
as necessary to implement and clarify the provisions of this part as
they relate to minors.

5585.22. The Director of Mental Health, in consultation with the
California Conference of Local Mental Health Directors, may develop
the appropriate educational materials and a training curriculum, and
may provide training as necessary to assure those persons providing
services pursuant to this part fully understand its purpose.

5585.25. "Gravely disabled minor" means a minor who, as a result of
a mental disorder, is unable to use the elements of life which are
essential to health, safety, and development, including food,
clothing, and shelter, even though provided to the minor by others.
Mental retardation, epilepsy, or other developmental disabilities,
alcoholism, other drug abuse, or repeated antisocial behavior do not,
by themselves, constitute a mental disorder.