California Association of Local Behavioral Health Boards & Commissions
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    • News/Issues A - D >
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      • Hospitals
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        • LGBTQ+ Definitions and Acronyms
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      • Navigator Programs
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      • Peer Supports
      • Psychiatric Advance Directives
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Patients' Rights

​PATIENTS RIGHTS ADVOCATES are authorized to visit all mental health programs (including in jails.) They are a good source of information and they are advocates.  Invite them to participate regularly at your monthly meetings. Link to Disability Rights 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:
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(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.

​
PRA Survey re: County Jails: 2021 Survey of County Mental Health Patients’ Rights Advocates on Patients’ Rights Advocacy in County Jails, CA BH Planning Council's Patients' Rights Committee

New Legislation

Bill AB333 - Whistleblower protection for Patients Rights Advocates  (2019)

​​AB 2316 Patients' Rights Advocates
New Training Requirements - August 2018

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OFFICE

717 K STREET, SUITE 427
SACRAMENTO, CA 95814

mission

cALBHB/C supports the work of california's 59 local mental/ behavioral health boards and commissions by providing resources, training, and opportunities for communication and statewide advocacy.

Local boards are responsible for reviewing community mental health needs, services, facilities and special problems, and serve in an advisory capacity to local governing bodies and local mental/behavioral health directors per CA Welfare and Institutions Code 5604.2.
Donations are welcome. CALBHB/C is a nonprofit organization.