2011 California Code
Welfare and Institutions Code
DIVISION 7. MENTAL INSTITUTIONS [7100 - 7700]
ARTICLE 5. Transfer of Patients
Section 7300

It shall be the policy of the department to make available to all persons admitted to a state hospital prior to July 1, 1969, and to all persons judicially committed or remanded to its jurisdiction all of the facilities under the control of the department. Whenever, in the opinion of the Director of Mental Health, it appears that a person admitted prior to July 1, 1969, or that a person judicially committed or remanded to the State Department of Mental Health for placement in an institution would be benefited by a transfer from that institution to another institution in the department, the director may cause the transfer of the patient from that institution to another institution under the jurisdiction of the department. Preference shall be given in any such transfer to an institution in an adjoining rather than a remote district.

However, before any inmate of a correctional school may be transferred to a state hospital for the mentally disordered he shall first be returned to a court of competent jurisdiction, and, if subject to commitment, after hearing, may be committed to a state hospital for the mentally disordered in accordance with law.

The expense of such transfers is chargeable to the state, and the bills for the same, when approved by the Director of Mental Health, shall be paid by the Treasurer on the warrant of the Controller, out of any moneys provided for the care or support of the patients or out of the moneys provided for the support of the department, in the discretion of the department.

(Amended by Stats. 1977, Ch. 1252.)