CA AB2352

Extends advance health care directive provisions to psychiatric advance directives (PADs), allowing individuals to document treatment preferences and nominate a health care advocate in advance of a behavioral health crisis.

Establishes that PADs are legally sufficient if signed by the individual and one additional unrelated witness (or by a health care advocate who accepts appointment), and permits digital PADs in addition to written forms.

Requires courts considering conservatorship to evaluate psychiatric advance directives and health care advocates as less restrictive alternatives, and mandates inclusion of PADs in conservatorship alternatives programs.

Mandates that designated facilities evaluating individuals for involuntary mental health treatment record whether the person has an advance health care directive or PAD, and requires treatment plan consideration of PAD directions.

Requires county welfare departments to provide dependent children transitioning from foster care with psychiatric advance directive forms and information about creating PADs and choosing health care advocates during the 90-day transition period.