The State Department of State Hospitals: investigations.

Existing law establishes the State Department of State Hospitals and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the administration of state hospitals, including the power to investigate suspected abuses in a hospital or institution for persons with mental health disorders. This bill would require the department, prior to interviewing a person for purposes of an investigation, to inform the person as to the nature of the interview and of the fact that information from the interview can be used in criminal or administrative actions. The bill would also encourage the department, if it uses subject matter experts to assist an investigation, to also consult a panel of peers of the person being investigated to review the allegations and assist the office in evaluating those allegations.