AB 2983 effective Jan 1, 2019 prohibits what practice?

• A. Hospitals must always require a 5150 hold to accept or transfer a voluntary hold
• B. Hospitals cannot require a 5150 hold to accept or transfer a voluntary hold
• C. Hospitals may require 5150 holds for voluntary holds if bed is needed
• D. There is no restriction on 5150 holds for voluntary holds

Answer: (B)

AB 2983 bars hospitals from conditioning admission or transfer of someone who is seeking voluntary treatment on the presence of an involuntary 5150 hold. In other words, a patient who wants to be admitted or moved to another facility cannot be forced into an involuntary 72-hour hold just to get care. The law protects voluntary patients by ensuring they aren’t coerced into a 5150 as a gatekeeping requirement, even if a bed is needed. A 5150 can still be used if the criteria for involuntary hold are met, but it cannot be made a prerequisite for receiving voluntary treatment or for transfer.