Mental health evaluations: gravely disabled due to impairment by chronic alcoholism.

Existing law, the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, authorizes an individual to apply to the person or agency designated by a county for a petition alleging that there is in the county a person who is, as a result of mental disorder a danger to others, or to self, or is gravely disabled, and requesting that an evaluation of the person's condition be made to determine whether the person will agree voluntarily to receive crisis intervention services or an evaluation. Existing law defines "gravely disabled" for this purpose as a person who, as a result of a mental health disorder, is unable to provide for the person's basic personal needs for food, clothing, or shelter or who has been found mentally incompetent, as specified. This bill would include in that definition of "gravely disabled," for purposes of the petitions for evaluation made under the act, a person who, as a result of impairment by chronic alcoholism, is unable to provide for the person's basic personal needs for food, clothing, or shelter. By increasing the duties of the county person or agency that receives the requests and prepares petitions for evaluation, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.