4361.7. (Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 47, Sec. 57.)

(a) Subject to an appropriation by the Legislature for this express purpose, the department may contract for medical, evaluation, and other services as necessary to facilitate early access to treatment for individuals in county jails who have been deemed incompetent to stand trial on a felony charge.

(b) County jails shall allow the department and any of its contractors or designees reasonable access to its facilities and individuals deemed incompetent to stand trial on a felony charge to provide early access treatment.

(c) The department may petition for and participate in involuntary medication hearings pursuant to Section 1370 of the Penal Code for individuals housed in county jails who are being treated by department employees or contractors. Nothing in this section shall remove the ability or responsibility of a jail to utilize existing authority to seek an involuntary medication order for individuals or to provide other medical or mental health care.