§ 2603. — (Amended (as amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 434, Sec. 12) by Stats. 2024, Ch. 326, Sec. 2.)

(a)
Except as provided in subdivision (b), no person sentenced to imprisonment in a county jail shall be administered any psychiatric medication without prior informed consent.
(b)
If a psychiatrist determines that an inmate should be treated with psychiatric medication, but the inmate does not consent, the inmate may be involuntarily treated with the medication. Treatment may be given on either a nonemergency basis as provided in subdivision (c), or on an emergency or interim basis as provided in subdivision (d).
(c)
A county department of mental health, or other designated county department, may seek to initiate involuntary
medication on a nonemergency basis only if all of the following conditions
have been met:
(1)
A psychiatrist or psychologist has determined that the inmate has a serious mental disorder.
(2)
A psychiatrist or psychologist has determined that, as a result of that mental disorder, the inmate is gravely disabled and does not have the capacity to refuse treatment with psychiatric medications, or is a danger to self or others.
(3)
A psychiatrist has prescribed one or more psychiatric medications for the treatment of the inmate’s disorder, has considered the risks, benefits, and treatment alternatives to involuntary medication, and has determined that the treatment alternatives to involuntary medication are unlikely to meet the needs of the patient.
(4)
The inmate has been advised of the risks and benefits of, and treatment alternatives to, the psychiatric medication, and refuses, or is unable to consent to, the administration of the medication.
(5)
The inmate is provided a hearing before a superior court judge, a court-appointed commissioner or referee, or a court-appointed hearing officer, as specified in subdivision (c) of Section 5334 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(6)
The inmate is provided counsel at least 21 days prior to the hearing, unless emergency or interim medication is being administered pursuant to subdivision (d), in which case the inmate would receive expedited access to counsel. The hearing shall be held not more than 30 days after the
filing of the notice with the superior court, unless counsel for the inmate agrees to extend the date of the hearing.
(7)
The inmate and counsel are provided with written notice of the hearing at least 21 days prior to the hearing, unless emergency or interim medication is being administered pursuant to subdivision (d), in which case the inmate would receive an expedited hearing. The written notice shall do all of the following:
(A)
Set forth the diagnosis, the factual basis for the diagnosis, the basis upon which psychiatric medication is recommended, the expected benefits of the medication, any potential side effects and risks to the inmate from the medication, and any alternatives to treatment with the medication.
(B)
Advise the inmate of the right to be present at the hearing, the right to be represented by counsel at all stages of the proceedings, the right to present evidence, and the right to cross-examine witnesses. Counsel for the inmate shall have access to all medical records and files of the inmate, but shall not have access to the confidential section of the inmate’s central file which contains materials unrelated to medical treatment.
(C)
Inform the inmate of the right to appeal the determination to the superior court or the court of appeal as specified in subdivisions (e) and (f) of Section 5334 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and of the right to file a petition for writ of habeas corpus with respect to any decision of the county department of mental health, or other designated county department, to continue treatment
with involuntary medication after the superior court judge, court-appointed commissioner or referee, or court-appointed hearing officer has authorized treatment with involuntary medication.
(8)
A superior court judge, a court-appointed commissioner or referee, or a court-appointed hearing officer determines by clear and convincing evidence that the inmate has a mental illness or disorder, that as a result of that illness the inmate is gravely disabled and lacks the capacity to consent to or refuse treatment with psychiatric medications or is a danger to self or others if not medicated, that there is no less intrusive alternative to involuntary medication, and that the medication is in the inmate’s best medical interest. In the event of any statutory notice issues with either initial or renewal filings by the county department of mental
health, or other designated county department, the superior court judge, court-appointed commissioner or referee, or court-appointed hearing officer shall hear arguments as to why the case should be heard, and shall consider factors such as the ability of the inmate’s counsel to adequately prepare the case and to confer with the inmate, the continuity of care, and, if applicable, the need for protection of the inmate or institutional staff that would be compromised by a procedural default.
(9)
The historical course of the inmate’s mental disorder, as determined by available relevant information about the course of the inmate’s mental disorder, shall be considered when it has direct bearing on the determination of whether the inmate is a danger to self or others, or is gravely disabled and incompetent to refuse medication as the result
of a mental disorder.
(10)
An inmate is entitled to file one motion for reconsideration following a determination that they may receive involuntary medication, and may seek a hearing to present new evidence, upon good cause shown.
(d)
Nothing in this section is intended to prohibit a physician from taking appropriate action in an emergency. An emergency exists when there is a sudden and marked change in an inmate’s mental condition so that action is immediately necessary for the preservation of life or the prevention of serious bodily harm to the inmate or others, and it is impractical, due to the seriousness of the emergency, to first obtain informed consent. If psychiatric medication is administered during an emergency, the medication shall only be that which is required to
treat the emergency condition and shall be administered for only so long as the emergency continues to exist. If the clinicians of the county department of mental health, or other designated county department, identify a situation that jeopardizes the inmate’s health or well-being as the result of a serious mental illness, and necessitates the continuation of medication beyond the initial 72 hours pending the full mental health hearing, the county department may seek to continue the medication by giving notice to the inmate and their counsel of its intention to seek an ex parte order to allow the continuance of medication pending the full hearing. Treatment of the inmate in a facility pursuant to Section 4011.6 shall not be required in order to continue medication
pursuant to this subdivision unless the treatment is otherwise medically necessary. The notice shall be served upon the inmate and counsel at the same time the inmate is given the written notice that the involuntary medication proceedings are being initiated and is appointed counsel as provided in subdivision (c). The order may be issued ex parte upon a showing that, in the absence of the medication, the emergency conditions are likely to recur. The request for an ex parte order shall be supported by an affidavit from the psychiatrist or psychologist showing specific facts. The inmate and the inmate’s appointed counsel shall have two business days to respond to the county department’s ex parte request to continue interim medication, and may present facts supported by an affidavit in opposition to the department’s request. A superior court judge, a court-appointed
commissioner or referee, or a court-appointed hearing officer shall review the ex parte request and shall have three business days to determine the merits of the department’s request for an ex parte order. If an order is issued, the psychiatrist may continue the administration of the medication until the hearing described in paragraph (5) of subdivision (c) is held.
(1)
If the county elects to seek an ex parte order pursuant to this subdivision, the county department of mental health, or other designated county department, shall file with the superior court, and serve on the inmate and their counsel, the written notice described in paragraph (7) of subdivision (c) within 72 hours of commencing medication pursuant to this subdivision, unless either of the following occurs:
(A)
The inmate gives informed consent to continue the medication.
(B)
A psychiatrist determines that the psychiatric medication is not necessary and administration of the medication is discontinued.
(2)
If medication is being administered pursuant to this subdivision, the hearing described in paragraph (5) of subdivision (c) shall commence within 21 days of the filing and service of the notice, unless counsel for the inmate agrees to a different period of time.
(3)
With the exception of the timeline provisions specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) for providing notice and commencement of the hearing in emergency or interim situations, the inmate shall be entitled to and be given the same due process
protections as specified in subdivision (c). The county department of mental health, or other designated county department, shall prove the same elements supporting the involuntary administration of psychiatric medication, and the superior court judge, court-appointed commissioner or referee, or court-appointed hearing officer shall be required to make the same findings described in subdivision (c).
(e)
The determination that an inmate may receive involuntary medication shall be valid for one year from the date of the determination, regardless of whether the inmate subsequently gives informed consent.
(f)
If a determination has been made to involuntarily medicate an inmate pursuant to subdivision (c) or (d), the medication shall be discontinued one year after the date of
that determination, unless the inmate gives informed consent to the administration of the medication, or unless a new determination is made pursuant to the procedures set forth in subdivision (g).
(g)
To renew an existing order allowing involuntary medication, the county department of mental health, or other designated county department, shall file with the superior court, and shall serve on the inmate and their counsel, a written notice indicating the department’s intent to renew the existing involuntary medication order.
(1)
The request to renew the order shall be filed and served no later than 21 days prior to the expiration of the current order authorizing involuntary medication.
(2)
The inmate shall be
entitled to, and shall be given, the same due process protections as specified in subdivision (c).
(3)
Renewal orders shall be valid for one year from the date of the hearing.
(4)
An order renewing an existing order shall be granted based on clear and convincing evidence that the inmate has a serious mental disorder that requires treatment with psychiatric medication, and that, but for the medication, the inmate would revert to the behavior that was the basis for the prior order authorizing involuntary medication, coupled with evidence that the inmate lacks insight regarding their need for the medication, such that it is unlikely that the inmate would be able to manage their own medication and treatment regimen. No new acts need be alleged or proven.
(5)
If the county department of mental health, or other designated county department, wishes to add a basis to an existing order, it shall give the inmate and the inmate’s counsel notice in advance of the hearing via a renewal notice or supplemental petition. Within the renewal notice or supplemental petition, as described in subdivision (g), the county department of mental health, or other designated county department, shall specify what additional basis is being alleged and what qualifying conduct within the past year supports that additional basis. The county department of mental health, or other designated county department, shall prove the additional basis and conduct by clear and convincing evidence at a hearing as specified in subdivision (c).
(6)
The hearing on any petition
to renew an order for involuntary medication shall be conducted prior to the expiration of the current order.
(h)
In the event of a conflict between the provisions of this section and the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 11400) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), this section shall control.
(i)
This section shall become operative on January 1, 2030.

Legislative History

Amended (as amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 434, Sec. 12) by Stats. 2024, Ch. 326, Sec. 2. (SB 1317) Effective January 1, 2025. Section operative January 1, 2030, by its own provisions.