LPS Act
Also written as: LPS — Lanterman-Petris-Short Act
California law governing involuntary psychiatric holds and conservatorships for individuals with mental illness.
Full Definition
The Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, enacted in California in 1967, established criteria and procedures for involuntary psychiatric detention and treatment. The law defines three categories: 72-hour holds for evaluation (5150), 14-day intensive treatment holds (5250), and long-term conservatorships. The LPS Act emphasizes patients' rights and requires clear documentation of dangerousness or grave disability. Emergency psychiatry staff must understand LPS procedures for proper documentation and legal compliance.
Usage
Usage note: Specific to California; other states have different involuntary commitment statutes.
In Context
- "Under the LPS Act, the patient was placed on a 5250 hold following the initial 72-hour evaluation period." — clinical documentation
- "LPS Act criteria require documentation of specific behaviors indicating grave disability." — training manual