State hospitals for persons with mental health disorders: patient funds.

Existing law sets forth various functions and duties for the State Department of State Hospitals with respect to the administration of state institutions for the care and treatment of persons with mental health disorders. Existing law authorizes the Director of State Hospitals to deposit funds of patients in trust, as specified. Existing law also authorizes the hospital administrator, with the consent of the patient, to deposit the interest or increment on the funds of the patient in the state hospital in a special fund for each state hospital, designated the "Benefit Fund," and requires the hospital administrator to be the trustee of the fund. Existing law authorizes the hospital administrator, with the approval of the Director of State Hospitals, to expend moneys in the fund for the education or entertainment of the patients of the institution. Existing law requires that the hospital administrator take into consideration the recommendations of representatives of patient government and recommendations submitted by patient groups before expending any moneys in the fund. This bill would additionally authorize the funds to be expended for the welfare of the patients of the institution. The bill would require the hospital administrator of a state hospital to notify patients, patient governments, and patient groups, in writing, about any newly authorized expenditure options for the benefit fund, when applicable.