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HomeWelfare and Institutions CodeDiv. 5Pt. 1Ch. 2Art. 4§ 5256 Intensive Treatment Certification Review

§ 5256 Intensive Treatment Certification Review

Welfare and Institutions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 5256 Intensive Treatment Certification Review

Key Takeaways

  • •If someone is forced into intensive mental health treatment, there must be a hearing within 4 days to check if it's really needed.
  • •If someone is just held for evaluation (not intensive treatment), there must be a hearing within 7 days to decide if they should stay.
  • •The person has the right to get help from an advocate or lawyer to prepare for the hearing.
  • •The hearing must follow specific rules to make sure it's fair.

Example

A person is taken to a mental health facility because they are acting in a way that suggests they might harm themselves. They are held for evaluation but not put into intensive treatment.

The facility must hold a hearing within 7 days to decide if the person should continue to be held. The person can get help from a lawyer or advocate to prepare for this hearing and understand their rights.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 5256 Intensive Treatment Certification Review

(a) When a person is certified for intensive treatment pursuant to Section 5250 or 5270.15, a certification review hearing shall be held unless judicial review has been requested as provided in Sections 5275 and 5276. The certification review hearing shall be within four days of the date on which the person is certified for a period of intensive treatment unless postponed by request of the person or their attorney or advocate. (b) When a person has not been certified for intensive treatment pursuant to Section 5250 and remains detained pursuant to Section 5150, a certification review hearing shall be held within seven days of the date the person was initially detained pursuant to Section 5150, unless judicial review has been requested as provided in Sections 5275 and 5276. The professional person in charge of the facility designated by the county for evaluation and treatment, or an individual designated by the county if the person is not in a designated facility, shall inform the detained person of their rights with respect to the hearing, such as the right to the assistance of another person, including the county patients’ rights advocate, to prepare for the hearing, shall answer questions and address concerns regarding involuntary detention, and shall inform them of their rights pursuant to Section 5254.1. An attorney or county patients’ rights advocate shall meet with the person to discuss the commitment process and to assist the person in preparing for the certification review hearing or to answer questions or otherwise assist the person as appropriate. The certification review hearing shall be conducted in accordance with Sections 5256.1, 5256.2, 5256.3, 5256.4, 5256.5, 5256.6, and 5256.7 and the detained person shall be considered a person certified. (Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 960, Sec. 3. (AB 2275) Effective January 1, 2023.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

treatmentcertificationdetentionpatienthealthhearingif someonefacility

Related Statutes

  • § 5250 14-Day Mental Health Certification
  • § 5254 Certification Review Hearing Rights
  • § 5256.7 Certification Review Decision Notification
  • § 5270.55 Conservatorship Evaluation For Disabled
  • § 5151 72-Hour Psychiatric Hold

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Welfare and Institutions Code. Section 5256.
View Official Source