CA AB2520

Requires independent professionals appointed by the Board of Parole Hearings to consult with a prisoner's primary mental health clinician at the prisoner's request before making recommendations about mentally disordered parolees.

Defines "primary mental health clinician" as a licensed psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker who regularly treats the prisoner, including State Department of State Hospitals employees or privately hired persons.

Requires the Board of Parole Hearings to consult with a prisoner's primary mental health clinician at the prisoner's request when considering a Psychological Risk Assessment for life sentence prisoners during parole release hearings.

Maintains existing requirement that independent professionals appointed by the board have at least five years of experience in mental disorder diagnosis and treatment and not be state government employees.