CA AB1394

Requires general acute care hospitals to establish and adopt written policies and procedures by January 1, 2025 to screen patients ages 12 and older for suicidal ideation and behavior risk.

Screening procedures must identify and document a patient's suicide risk as part of medical screening and include designation of licensed staff responsible for implementation.

Hospitals must provide patients showing signs of suicide risk with a current referral list of private and public community agencies offering evaluation, counseling, and mental health services, including hotlines.

Hospitals must routinely screen all patients ages 12 and older for suicide risk in compliance with their adopted policies and procedures after January 1, 2025.

Legislature recommends hospitals adopt guidelines similar to validated screening tools and risk assessment protocols recommended by the Joint Commission.