ARTICLE 2. Persons with Intellectual Disabilities [6500. - 6513.]

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC 2.

in effect

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 6500. Section 6500.

(a) For purposes of this article, the following definitions shall apply: (1) “Dangerousness to self or others” shall include, but not be limited to, a finding of incompetence to stand trial pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 1367) of Title 10 of Part 2 of the Penal Code when the defendant has been charged with murder, mayhem, aggravated mayhem, a violation of Section 207, 209, or 209.5 of the Penal Code in which the victim suffers intentionally inflicted great bodily injury, robbery perpetrated by torture or by a person armed with a dangerous or deadly weapon or in which the victim suffers great bodily injury, carjacking perpetrated by torture or by a person armed with a dangerous or deadly weapon or in which the victim suffers great bodily injury, a violation of subdivision (b) of Section 451 of the Penal Code, a violation of paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (a) of former Section 262 or paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 261 of the Penal Code, a violation of Section 288 of the Penal Code, any of the following acts when committed by force, violence, duress, menace, fear of immediate and unlawful bodily injury on the victim or another person: a violation of paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (a) of former Section 262 of the Penal Code, a violation of Section 264.1, 286, or 287 of, or former Section 288a of, the Penal Code, or a violation of subdivision (a) of Section 289 of the Penal Code; a violation of Section 459 of the Penal Code in the first degree, assault with intent to commit murder, a violation of Section 220 of the Penal Code in which the victim suffers great bodily injury, a violation of Section 18725, 18740, 18745, 18750, or 18755 of the Penal Code, or if the defendant has been charged with a felony involving death, great bodily injury, or an act that poses a serious threat of bodily harm to another person. (2) “Developmental disability” shall have the same meaning as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 4512. (b) (1) A person with a developmental disability may be committed to the State Department of Developmental Services for residential placement other than in a developmental center or state-operated community facility, as provided in subdivision (a) of Section 6509, if the person is found to be a danger to self or others. (A) An order of commitment made pursuant to this paragraph shall expire automatically one year after the order of commitment is made. (B) This paragraph does not prohibit any party enumerated in Section 6502 from filing subsequent petitions for additional periods of commitment. If subsequent petitions are filed, the procedures followed shall be the same as with the initial petition for commitment. (2) A person with a developmental disability shall not be committed to the State Department of Developmental Services for placement in a developmental center or state-operated community facility pursuant to this article unless the person meets the criteria for admission to a developmental center or state-operated community facility pursuant to paragraph (2), (3), (4), (5), or (7) of subdivision (a) of Section 7505 and is dangerous to self or others, or as a result of an acute crisis, or the person currently is a resident of a state developmental center or state-operated community facility pursuant to an order of commitment made pursuant to this article prior to July 1, 2012, and is being recommitted pursuant to paragraph (4) of this subdivision. (3) If the person with a developmental disability is in the care or treatment of a state hospital, developmental center, or other facility at the time a petition for commitment is filed pursuant to this article, proof of a recent overt act while in the care and treatment of a state hospital, developmental center, or other facility is not required in order to find that the person is a danger to self or others. (4) If subsequent petitions are filed with respect to a resident of a developmental center or a state-operated community facility committed prior to July 1, 2012, the procedures followed and criteria for recommitment shall be the same as with the initial petition for commitment. (5) In any proceedings conducted under the authority of this article, the person alleged to have a developmental disability shall be informed of their right to counsel by the court and, if the person does not have an attorney for the proceedings, the court shall immediately appoint the public defender or other attorney to represent them. The person shall pay the cost for the legal services if the person is able to do so. At any judicial proceeding under this article, allegations that a person has a developmental disability and is dangerous to self or others, or as a result of an acute crisis, shall be presented by the district attorney for the county unless the board of supervisors, by ordinance or resolution, delegates this authority to the county counsel. The regional center shall inform the clients’ rights advocate, as described in Section 4433, when a petition is filed under this section and when a petition expires. The clients’ rights advocate for the regional center may attend any judicial proceedings to assist in protecting the individual’s rights. (c) (1) An order of commitment made pursuant to this article with respect to a person described in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 7505 shall expire automatically one year after the order of commitment is made. This section does not prohibit a party enumerated in Section 6502 from filing subsequent petitions for additional periods of commitment. If subsequent petitions are filed, the procedures followed shall be the same as with an initial petition for commitment. (2) An order of commitment made pursuant to this article on or after July 1, 2012, with respect to the admission to a developmental center or state-operated community facility of a person described in paragraph (2), (4), or (7) of subdivision (a) of Section 7505 shall expire automatically six months after the earlier of the order of commitment pursuant to this section or the order of a placement in a developmental center pursuant to Section 6506, unless the regional center, prior to the expiration of the order of commitment, notifies the court in writing of the need for an extension. The required notice shall state facts demonstrating that the individual continues to be in acute crisis, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 4418.7, and the justification for the requested extension, and shall be accompanied by the comprehensive assessment and plan described in subdivision (e) of Section 4418.7. An order granting an extension shall not extend the total period of commitment beyond one year, including a placement in a developmental center pursuant to Section 6506. If, prior to expiration of one year, the regional center notifies the court in writing of facts demonstrating that, due to circumstances beyond the regional center’s control, the placement cannot be made prior to expiration of the extension, and the court determines that good cause exists, the court may grant one further extension of up to 30 days. The court may also issue any orders the court deems appropriate to ensure that necessary steps are taken to ensure that the individual can be safely and appropriately transitioned to the community in a timely manner. The required notice shall state facts demonstrating that the regional center has made significant progress implementing the plan described in subdivision (e) of Section 4418.7 and that extraordinary circumstances exist beyond the regional center’s control that have prevented the plan’s implementation. This paragraph does not preclude the individual or a person acting on the person’s behalf from making a request for release pursuant to Section 4800, or counsel for the individual from filing a petition for habeas corpus pursuant to Section 4801. Notwithstanding subdivision (a) of Section 4801, for purposes of this paragraph, judicial review shall be in the superior court of the county that issued the order of commitment pursuant to this section. (3) An order of commitment made pursuant to this article on or after January 1, 2020, with respect to the admission to an institution for mental disease, as described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (9) of subdivision (a) of Section 4648, shall expire automatically six months after the earlier of the order of commitment pursuant to this section, the order of a placement in an institution for mental disease pursuant to Section 6506, or the date the regional center placed the individual in the institution for mental disease, unless the regional center notifies the court in writing of the need for an extension. The required notice shall state facts demonstrating that the individual continues to be in acute crisis, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 4418.7, and the justification for the requested extension, and shall be accompanied by the comprehensive assessment and plan described in clause (v) of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (9) of subdivision (a) of Section 4648. An order granting an extension shall not extend the total period of commitment beyond one year, including a placement in an institution for mental disease pursuant to Section 6506. If, prior to expiration of one year, the regional center notifies the court in writing of facts demonstrating that, due to circumstances beyond the regional center’s control, the placement cannot be made prior to expiration of the extension, and the court determines that good cause exists, the court may grant one further extension of up to 30 days. The court may also issue any orders the court deems appropriate in order for necessary steps to be taken to ensure that the individual can be safely and appropriately transitioned to the community in a timely manner. The required notice shall state facts demonstrating that the regional center has made significant progress implementing the plan described in clause (v) of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (9) of subdivision (a) of Section 4648 and that extraordinary circumstances exist beyond the regional center’s control that have prevented the plan’s implementation. This paragraph does not preclude the individual or any person acting on their own behalf from making a request for release pursuant to Section 4800, or counsel for the individual from filing a petition for habeas corpus pursuant to Section 4801. Notwithstanding subdivision (a) of Section 4801, for purposes of this paragraph, judicial review shall be in the superior court of the county that issued the order of commitment pursuant to this section. (4) An order of commitment made pursuant to this article on or after July 1, 2024, with respect to the admission to a completed and licensed complex needs home of a person described in paragraph (8) of subdivision (a) of Section 7505 shall expire automatically six months after the earlier of the order of commitment pursuant to this section or the order of a placement pursuant to Section 6506, unless the regional center, prior to the expiration of the order of commitment, notifies the court in writing of the need for an extension. The required notice shall state facts demonstrating that the individual continues to require placement in a complex needs home, as defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (h) of Section 4418.8, and the justification for the requested extension, and shall be accompanied by the comprehensive assessment and plan described in subdivision (e) of Section 4418.8. An order granting an extension shall not extend the total period of commitment beyond 18 months, except as provided for in subdivision (e) of Section 4418.8, including a placement pursuant to Section 6506. This paragraph does not preclude the individual or a person acting on the person’s behalf from making a request for release pursuant to Section 4800, or counsel for the individual from filing a petition for habeas corpus pursuant to Section 4801. Notwithstanding subdivision (a) of Section 4801, for purposes of this paragraph, judicial review shall be in the superior court of the county that issued the order of commitment pursuant to this section.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 6501. Section 6501.

If a person is charged with a violent felony, as described in Section 667.5 of the Penal Code, and the individual has been committed to the State Department of Developmental Services pursuant to Section 1370.1 of the Penal Code or Section 6500 for placement in a secure treatment facility, as described in subdivision (e) of Section 1370.1 of the Penal Code, the department shall give priority to placing the individual at Porterville Developmental Center prior to placing the individual at any other secure treatment facility.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 6502. Section 6502.

A petition for the commitment of a person with a developmental disability to the State Department of Developmental Services who has been found incompetent to stand trial pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 1367) of Title 10 of Part 2 of the Penal Code when the defendant has been charged with one or more of the offenses identified or described in Section 6500, may be filed in the superior court of the county that determined the question of mental competence of the defendant. All other petitions may be filed in the county in which that person is physically present. A petition for the commitment of a person with a developmental disability to the State Department of Developmental Services who is in acute crisis, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 4418.7, may be filed in the superior court of the county that determined the question of acute crisis or the county in which the acute crisis home is located. The following persons may request the person authorized to present allegations pursuant to Section 6500 to file a petition for commitment: (a) The parent, guardian, conservator, or other person charged with the support of the person with a developmental disability. (b) The probation officer. (c) The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Juvenile Justice. (d) Any person designated for that purpose by the judge of the court. (e) The Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. (f) The regional center director or the director’s designee. The request shall state the petitioner’s reasons for supposing the person to be eligible for admission thereto, and shall be verified by affidavit.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 6503. Section 6503.

The court shall fix a time and place for the hearing of the petition. The time for the hearing shall be set no more than 60 days after the filing of the petition. The court may grant a continuance only upon a showing of good cause. The hearing may, in the discretion of the court, be held at any place which the court deems proper, and which will give opportunity for the production and examination of witnesses.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 6504. Section 6504.

In all cases the court shall require due notice of the hearing of the petition to be given to the person alleged to have a developmental disability. Whenever a petition is filed, the court shall require such notice of the hearing of the petition as it deems proper to be given to any parent, guardian, conservator, or other person charged with the support of the person mentioned in the petition.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 6504.5. Section 6504.5.

(a) Wherever a petition is filed pursuant to this article, the court shall appoint the director of a regional center for the developmentally disabled established under Division 4.5 (commencing with Section 4500), or the designee of the director, to examine the person alleged to have a developmental disability. (b) Within 15 judicial days after his or her appointment, the regional center director or designee shall submit to the court in writing a report containing his or her evaluation of the person alleged to have a developmental disability. If the person is an individual described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 7505, the report shall include the results of the assessment conducted pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 4418.7. The report shall contain a recommendation of a facility or facilities in which the alleged developmentally disabled person may be placed. The report shall include any comprehensive assessment, or updated assessment, conducted by the regional center pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 4418.25. (c) The report shall include a description of the least restrictive residential placement necessary to achieve the purposes of treatment. In determining the least restrictive residential placement, consideration shall be given to public safety. If placement into or out of a developmental center is recommended, the regional center director or designee simultaneously shall submit the report to the executive director of the developmental center or his or her designee. The executive director of the developmental center or his or her designee may, within 15 days of receiving the regional center report, submit to the court a written report evaluating the ability of the developmental center to achieve the purposes of treatment for this person and whether the developmental center placement can adequately provide the security measures or systems required to protect the public health and safety from the potential dangers posed by the person’s known behaviors. (d) The reports prepared by the regional center director and developmental center director, if applicable, shall also address suitable interim placements for the person as provided for in Section 6506.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 6505. Section 6505.

Whenever the court considers it necessary or advisable, it may cause an order to issue for the apprehension and delivery to the court of the person alleged to have a developmental disability, and may have the order executed by a peace officer.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 6506. Section 6506.

Pending the hearing, the court may order that the alleged dangerous person alleged to have a developmental disability may be left in the charge of his or her parent, guardian, conservator, or other suitable person, or placed in a state developmental center, in the county psychiatric hospital, or in any other suitable placement as determined by the court. Prior to the issuance of an order under this section, the regional center and developmental center, if applicable, shall recommend to the court a suitable person or facility to care for the person alleged to have a developmental disability. The determination of a suitable person or facility shall be the least restrictive option that provides for the person’s treatment needs and that has existing security systems or measures in place to adequately protect the public safety from any known dangers posed by the person. In determining whether the public safety will be adequately protected, the court shall make the finding required by subparagraph (D) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 1370.1 of the Penal Code. Pending the hearing, the court may order that the person receive necessary habilitation, care, and treatment, including medical and dental treatment. Orders made pursuant to this section shall expire at the time set for the hearing pursuant to Section 6503. If the court upon a showing of good cause grants a continuance of the hearing on the matter, it shall order that the person be detained pursuant to this section until the hearing on the petition is held.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 6507. Section 6507.

The court shall inquire into the condition or status of the person alleged to have a developmental disability. For this purpose it may by subpoena require the attendance before it of a physician who has made a special study of developmental disabilities and is qualified as a medical examiner, and of a clinical psychologist, or of two such physicians, or of two such psychologists, to examine the person and testify concerning his or her developmental disability. The court may also by subpoena require the attendance of such other persons as it deems advisable, to give evidence.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 6508. Section 6508.

Each psychologist and physician shall receive for each attendance mentioned in Section 6507 the sum of five dollars ($5) for each person examined, together with his necessary actual expenses occasioned thereby, and other witnesses shall receive for such attendance such fees and expenses as the court in its discretion allows, if any, not exceeding the fees and expenses allowed by law in other cases in the superior court. Any fees or traveling expenses payable to a psychologist, physician, or witness as provided in this section and all expenses connected with the execution of any process under the provisions of this article, which are not paid by the parent, guardian, conservator, or person charged with the support of the person with the supposed developmental disability, shall be paid by the county treasurer of the county in which the person resides, upon the presentation to the treasurer of a certificate of the judge that the claimant is entitled thereto.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 6509. Section 6509.

(a) If the court finds that the person has a developmental disability, and is a danger to self or to others, or is in acute crisis, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 4418.7, or in paragraph (1) of subdivision (h) of Section 4418.8, the court may make an order that the person be committed to the State Department of Developmental Services for suitable treatment and habilitation services. For purposes of this section, “suitable treatment and habilitation services” means the least restrictive residential placement necessary to achieve the purposes of treatment. Care and treatment of a person committed to the State Department of Developmental Services may include placement in any of the following: (1) A licensed community care facility, as defined in Section 1502 of the Health and Safety Code, or a health facility, as defined in Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code, other than a developmental center or state-operated facility. (2) A property used to provide Stabilization, Training, Assistance and Reintegration (STAR) services operated by the department if the person meets the criteria for admission pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 7505. (3) The secure treatment program at Porterville Developmental Center, if the person meets the criteria for admission pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 7505. (4) Canyon Springs Community Facility, if the person meets the criteria for admission pursuant to paragraph (4), (5), or (6) of subdivision (a) of Section 7505. (5) On or after July 1, 2019, the acute crisis center at Porterville Developmental Center, if the person meets the criteria for admission pursuant to paragraph (7) of subdivision (a) of Section 7505. (6) On or after July 1, 2024, upon completion and licensing, a complex needs home as defined in paragraph (3) of subdivision (h) of Section 4418.8, if the person meets the criteria for admission pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 4418.8. (7) Any other appropriate placement permitted by law. (b) (1) The court shall hold a hearing as to the available placement alternatives and consider the reports of the regional center director or designee and the developmental center director or designee submitted pursuant to Section 6504.5. After hearing all the evidence, the court shall order that the person be committed to the placement that the court finds to be the most appropriate and least restrictive alternative. If the court finds that release of the person can be made subject to conditions that the court deems proper and adequate for the protection and safety of others and the welfare of the person, the person shall be released subject to those conditions. (2) The court, however, may commit a person with a developmental disability who is not a resident of this state under Section 4460 for the purpose of transportation of the person to the state of legal residence pursuant to Section 4461. The State Department of Developmental Services shall receive the person committed to it and shall place the person in the placement ordered by the court. (c) If the person has at any time been found mentally incompetent pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 1367) of Title 10 of Part 2 of the Penal Code arising out of a complaint charging a felony offense specified in Section 290 of the Penal Code, the court shall order the State Department of Developmental Services to give notice of that finding to the designated placement facility and the appropriate law enforcement agency or agencies having local jurisdiction at the site of the placement facility. (d) For persons residing in the secure treatment program at the Porterville Developmental Center, at the person’s annual individual program plan meeting the team shall determine if the person should be considered for transition from the secure treatment program to an alternative placement. If the team concludes that an alternative placement is appropriate, the regional center, in coordination with the developmental center, shall conduct a comprehensive assessment and develop a proposed plan to transition the individual from the secure treatment program to the community. The transition plan shall be based upon the individual’s needs, developed through the individual program plan process, and shall ensure that needed services and supports will be in place at the time the individual moves. Individual supports and services shall include, when appropriate for the individual, wrap-around services through intensive individualized support services. The clients’ rights advocate for the regional center shall be notified of the individual program plan meeting and may participate in the meeting unless the consumer objects on their own behalf. The individual’s transition plan shall be provided to the court as part of the notice required pursuant to subdivision (e). (e) If the State Department of Developmental Services decides that a change in placement is necessary, it shall notify, in writing, the court of commitment, the district attorney, the attorney of record for the person, and the regional center of its decision at least 15 days in advance of the proposed change in placement. The court may hold a hearing and either approve or disapprove of the change or take no action, in which case the change shall be deemed approved. At the request of the district attorney or of the attorney for the person, a hearing shall be held.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 6510. Section 6510.

In case of the dismissal of the petition, the court may, if it considers the petition to have been filed with malicious intent, order the petitioner to pay the expenses in connection therewith, and may enforce such payment by such further orders as it deems necessary.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 6510.5. Section 6510.5.

Under no circumstances shall the court order placement of a person described in this article or a dangerous person committed pursuant to Section 1370.1 of the Penal Code to a developmental center if the department has specifically notified the court in writing that the individual cannot be safely served in that developmental center.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 6511. Section 6511.

Any person who knowingly contrives to have any person adjudged to have a developmental disability under the provisions of this article, unlawfully or improperly, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 6512. Section 6512.

If, when a boy or girl is brought before a juvenile court under the juvenile court law, it appears to the court, either before or after adjudication, that the person has a developmental disability, or if, on the conviction of any person of a crime by any court, it appears to the court that the person has a developmental disability, the court may adjourn the proceedings or suspend the sentence, as the case may be, and direct some suitable person to take proceedings under this article against the person before the court, and the court may order that, pending the preparation, filing, and hearing of the petition, the person before the court be detained in a place of safety, or be placed under the guardianship of some suitable person, on his entering into a recognizance for the appearance of the person upon trial or under conviction when required. If, upon the hearing of the petition, or upon a subsequent hearing, the person upon trial or under conviction is not found to have a developmental disability, the court may proceed with the trial or impose sentence, as the case may be.

Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 6513. Section 6513.

(a) The State Department of Developmental Services shall pay for the costs, as defined in this section, of judicial proceedings, including commitment, placement, or release, under this article under both of the following conditions: (1) The judicial proceedings are in a county where a state hospital or developmental center maintains a treatment program for persons with intellectual disabilities who are a danger to themselves or others. (2) The judicial proceedings relate to a person with an intellectual disability who is at the time residing in the state hospital or developmental center located in the county of the proceedings. (b) The appropriate financial officer or other designated official in a county described in subdivision (a) may prepare a statement of all costs incurred by the county in the investigation, preparation for, and conduct of the proceeding, including any costs of the district attorney or county counsel and any public defender or court-appointed counsel representing the person, and including any costs incurred by the county for the guarding or keeping of the person while away from the state hospital and for transportation of the person to and from the hospital. The statement shall be certified by a judge of the superior court and shall be sent to the State Department of Developmental Services. In lieu of sending statements after each proceeding, the statements may be held and submitted quarterly for the preceding three-month period.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026