Bill > SB1016

This bill modifies the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program, which provides behavioral health services to adults with severe mental illness, by allowing petitioners to request a court-ordered mental health evaluation under the Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act if they believe the individual may not be able to participate in the CARE process due to their mental disorder or lack of insight. The bill also requires the Judicial Council to update petition forms to include this option and mandates that county behavioral health agencies provide detailed reports to the court, including assessments of the individual's ability to engage in services, need for higher levels of care, and whether they pose a danger to themselves or others or are gravely disabled, and if they will voluntarily accept services or an evaluation. These changes aim to ensure individuals receive appropriate care and interventions, potentially leading to court-ordered evaluations under the LPS Act if voluntary participation in the CARE program is not feasible.