(a) A licensed inpatient mental health facility, as described in subdivision (c) of § 1262 of the Health and Safety Code, operated by a county or pursuant to a county contract, shall, prior to the discharge of any patient who was placed in the facility, prepare a written aftercare plan. The aftercare plan, to the extent known, shall specify the following:

(1) The nature of the illness and followup required.

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(2) Medications, including side effects and dosage schedules. If the patient was given an informed consent form with his or her medications, the form shall satisfy the requirement for information on side effects of the medications.

(3) Expected course of recovery.

(4) Recommendations regarding treatment that are relevant to the patient’s care.

(5) Referrals to providers of medical and mental health services.

(6) Other relevant information.

(b) Any person undergoing treatment at a facility under the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act or a county Bronzan-McCorquodale facility and the person’s conservator, guardian, or other legally authorized representative shall be given a written aftercare plan prior to being discharged from the facility. The person shall be advised by facility personnel that he or she may designate another person to receive a copy of the aftercare plan.

(c) A copy of the aftercare plan shall be given to any person designated under subdivision (b). A patient who is released from any local treatment facility described in subdivision (c) of § 1262 of the Health and Safety Code on a voluntary basis may refuse any or all services under the written aftercare plan.

(Amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 512, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1998.)