Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 5585. Section 5585.
This part shall be known as the Children’s Civil Commitment and Mental Health Treatment Act of 1988.
CHAPTER 1. General Provisions [5585. - 5585.25.]
Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC 1.
in effectCal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 5585.10. Section 5585.10.
This part shall be construed to promote the legislative intent and purposes of this part as follows:
(a)
To provide prompt evaluation and treatment of minors with a mental health disorder, with particular priority given to a child or adolescent with serious emotional disturbance.
(b)
To safeguard the rights to due process for minors and their families through judicial review.
(c)
To provide individualized treatment, supervision, and placement services for minors with a grave disability.
(d)
To prevent severe and
long-term mental disabilities among minors through early identification, effective family service interventions, and public education.
Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 5585.20. Section 5585.20.
This part shall apply only to the initial 72 hours of mental health evaluation and treatment provided to a minor. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (Part 1 (commencing with Section 5000)), unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions and procedures contained in this part shall, for the initial 72 hours of evaluation and treatment, govern the construction of state law governing the civil commitment of minors for involuntary treatment. To the extent that this part conflicts with any other law, it is the intent of the Legislature that this part shall apply. Evaluation and treatment of a minor beyond the initial 72 hours shall be pursuant to the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (Part 1 (commencing
with Section 5000)).
Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 5585.21. Section 5585.21.
The Director of Health Care Services may promulgate regulations as necessary to implement and clarify the provisions of this part as they relate to minors.
Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 5585.22. Section 5585.22.
The Director of Health Care Services, in consultation with the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California, may develop the appropriate educational materials and a training curriculum, and may provide training as necessary to ensure that those persons providing services pursuant to this part fully understand its purpose.
Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 5585.25. Section 5585.25.
“Gravely disabled minor” means a minor who, as a result of a mental disorder, is unable to use the elements of life that are essential to health, safety, and development, including food, clothing, and shelter, even though provided to the minor by others. Intellectual disability, epilepsy, or other developmental disabilities, alcoholism, other drug abuse, or repeated antisocial behavior do not, by themselves, constitute a mental disorder.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026