Welfare and Institutions Code section 5696

Prior to the opening of a regional facility, the board of directors shall develop written admission criteria, approved by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Juvenile Facilities, for those minors who are most at risk of entering the adult criminal justice system as offenders who have mental health disorders and are at high risk of committing predatory and violent crimes, including, but not limited to, the following requirements:

(a)

The minor is at the time of commitment between 12 and 18 years of age, the minor has been adjudged to be a ward of the juvenile court pursuant to Section 602, and the minor’s custody has been placed under the supervision of a probation officer pursuant to Section 727.

(b)

The ward has serious emotional disturbance as is evidenced by a diagnosis from the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and evidences behavior inappropriate to the ward’s age according to expected developmental norms. Additionally, all of the following must be present:

(1)

The behavior presents a danger to the community or self and requires intensive supervision and treatment, but the ward is not amenable to other private or public residential treatment programs because the ward’s behavior requires a secure setting.

(2)

The symptomology is both severe and frequent.

(3)

The inappropriate behavior is persistent.

Source: Section 5696, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=WIC§ionNum=5696.­ (updated Jan. 1, 2025; accessed Jul. 14, 2025).

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Verified:
Jul. 14, 2025

§ 5696's source at ca​.gov