§ 5545 Mental Health Access Protection

Welfare and Institutions Code·California

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Key Takeaways

•People getting mental health help can still get access to their records.
•Certain advocates can see these records to help the person.
•The law doesn’t stop these advocates from doing their job.

Example

If someone is in a mental health program and needs help understanding their rights, an advocate can look at their records to assist them.

The law allows advocates to access mental health records to help the person, even if they’re not a county advocate.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 5545 Mental Health Access Protection

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit access to recipients of mental health services in any mental health facility, program, or service or to information or records of recipients of mental health services for the purposes of subdivision (b) of Section 5520 or when otherwise authorized by law to county patients’ rights advocates or other individuals who are not county patients’ rights advocates. (Added by Stats. 1981, Ch. 841, Sec. 7.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

patient health facility information

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Welfare and Institutions Code. Section 5545.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

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Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References