Bill > AB181

This bill establishes a mental health bill of rights for children in foster care and transition-age foster youth, ensuring they have access to developmentally appropriate, medically necessary mental health screenings, assessments, and services, and can be evaluated and treated by culturally sensitive professionals. It grants foster youth the right to interview therapists before treatment, to continue with the same provider for at least a year after placement changes, and to refuse treatment unless they pose an immediate danger to themselves or others. For youth aged 12 and older, the bill allows them to consent to outpatient mental health treatment, and all youth are to be informed about available services, including holistic approaches, and receive information on seeking services in their county of residence. The bill also clarifies rights regarding psychotropic medications, including receiving information on drug interactions, side effects, and efficacy, and the right to refuse or discontinue them, while maintaining confidentiality protections unless a youth is a danger or suspected child abuse is reported. Additionally, it amends existing law to require the Office of the State Foster Care Ombudsperson to disseminate information on these rights and to investigate complaints related to foster care.