Involuntary commitment.

Assembly Member Krell proposes expanding California's involuntary commitment authority to include emergency physicians who meet specific training and certification requirements. The legislation amends the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act to authorize qualified emergency department physicians to initiate 72-hour psychiatric holds for individuals deemed dangerous to themselves or others, or gravely disabled due to mental health disorders.

The bill establishes criteria for emergency physicians to exercise this authority, requiring them to provide medical screening in licensed acute care hospital emergency departments, complete county-mandated training, and undergo an approval process. These physicians would receive the same civil and criminal liability protections currently afforded to peace officers and mental health professionals when detaining individuals for psychiatric evaluation.

Under existing law, only peace officers, designated mobile crisis team members, and certain mental health professionals can initiate involuntary psychiatric holds. The measure maintains current requirements for documenting the circumstances and probable cause leading to detention, providing written notice of rights to detained individuals, and ensuring appropriate facility designation for evaluations.

The legislation allows counties to defer implementing these changes until January 1, 2026, through a governing body resolution. The State Department of Health Care Services must formalize regulations for the new provisions by December 31, 2027, though it may issue interim guidance through administrative notices and letters.