Tuesday, March 2, 2021
California recently passed legislation that allows evaluations and assessments for involuntary psychiatric holds to be conducted using telehealth technology. California’s Lanterman-Petris-Short Act authorizes the involuntary commitment and treatment of individuals with mental health disorders. If an individual is considered to be a danger to themselves or others as a result of a mental health disorder, the individual may be taken into custody for a period of up to 72 hours for assessment, evaluation, and crisis intervention. These 72 hour involuntary commitments are commonly referred to as “5150 holds,” in reference to the Welfare & Institutions Code Section authorizing the process. Counties designate certain general acute care hospitals, psychiatric hospitals and other health care facilities that can evaluate and assess 5150 patients.