CA AB2983

Prohibits general acute care hospitals and acute psychiatric hospitals from requiring a person who voluntarily seeks care to be in custody under Section 5150 of the Welfare and Institutions Code as a condition of accepting a transfer after the person's written consent for treatment and transfer is documented.

Prohibits hospitals from requiring custody status or detention as a condition of accepting transfers in the absence of evidence of probable cause for detention as defined in Section 5150.05 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

Creates a new crime, making violation of these provisions a criminal offense.

Specifies that no state reimbursement is required because the costs incurred by local agencies will result from creating a new crime under the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code.

Approved by Governor on September 27, 2018 and filed with Secretary of State on the same date.