Welfare and Institutions Code § 5514

There shall be a five-person Patients’ Rights Committee formed through the California Behavioral Health Planning Council. This committee, supplemented by two ad hoc members appointed by the chairperson of the committee, shall advise the Director of Health Care Services and the Director of State Hospitals regarding department policies and practices that affect patients’ rights. The committee shall also review the advocacy and patients’ rights components of each county mental health plan or performance contract and advise the Director of Health Care Services and the Director of State Hospitals concerning the adequacy of each plan or performance contract in protecting patients’ rights. The ad hoc members of the committee shall be persons with substantial experience in establishing and providing independent advocacy services to recipients of mental health services.