5150 is the section of California’s Welfare and Institutions Code that lets designated professionals place someone on a 72-hour involuntary psychiatric hold for evaluation. It is a civil protective measure, not a criminal one, and it is California’s version of a psychiatric hold.
What Happens During A 5150 Hold
The person is taken to a designated psychiatric facility and stays under observation for up to 72 hours. Clinicians run psychiatric, medical, and risk evaluations, gathering information from the person, the family, medical records, and what led to the hold. Medication may be offered to stabilize acute symptoms, and in most cases the team must seek consent first, with narrow exceptions to prevent imminent harm. The person has the right to request a second opinion. At 72 hours a decision gets made. If the criteria no longer apply, discharge is required, with a plan covering outpatient appointments, resources, and crisis contacts. If they still apply, the facility can seek a 14-day extension known as a 5250, which requires physician approval. Someone who wants to continue care can also stay voluntarily. Longer holds and conservatorships go through the courts.
The Criteria For A 5150 Hold
A hold requires that someone meet at least one of three conditions, and that the condition result from a mental health disorder. Danger to self means a serious, imminent risk of suicide or serious self-harm. Danger to others means a serious risk of physical harm to other people, based on behavior, threats, or statements. Gravely disabled means the person cannot provide for basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, personal safety, or necessary medical care because of their condition, and that is a higher bar requiring real evidence. The determination has to rest on direct observation or recent reliable information. Intoxication on its own does not qualify, but under a 2023 change to the law a severe substance use disorder can now meet the gravely disabled standard by itself. Psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, psychiatric nurses, and other designated professionals can initiate a hold, as can law enforcement. Suicide risk is the most common trigger.
