BILL NUMBER: SB 1534	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Perata
   (Coauthor:  Assembly Member Steinberg)

                        FEBRUARY 17, 2000

   An act to add Article 7 (commencing with Section 5560) of Chapter
6.2 of Part 1 of Division 5 to the Welfare and Institutions Code,
relating to mental health.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1534, as introduced, Perata.  Mental health: patient advocacy:
special programs.
   Under existing law the State Department of Mental Health is
required to contract with a single nonprofit agency for the provision
of mental health patient advocacy services.  The services include
conducting investigations of abuse, neglect, and death of persons
with mental disabilities residing in state hospitals.
   This bill would establish the Patient Advocacy Program within the
department.  The program would provide patient advocate and oversight
services for patients in special treatment programs, as described.
   Vote:  majority.  Appropriation:  no.  Fiscal committee:  yes.
State-mandated local program:  no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Article 7 (commencing with Section 5560) is added to
Chapter 6.2 of Part 1 of Division 5 of the Welfare and Institutions
Code, to read:

      Article 7.  The Patient Advocacy Program

   5560.  The Patient Advocacy Program is established in the State
Department of Mental Health.
   5561.  The program shall provide advocate and oversight services
for patients in special treatment programs described in Section 72443
of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations.
              ____ CORRECTIONS  Heading -- coauthor.
             ____