(a) A person who has been committed as a delinquent with a mental health disorder may be paroled or granted a leave of absence by the medical superintendent of the institution wherein the person is confined whenever the medical superintendent is of the opinion that the person has improved to such an extent that he or she is no longer a menace to the health and safety of others or that the person will receive benefit from the parole or leave of absence, and after the medical superintendent and the Director of State Hospitals have certified the opinion to the committing court.

(b) If, within 30 days after the receipt of the certification, the committing court orders the return of the person, the person shall be returned forthwith to await further action of the court. If, within 30 days after the receipt of the certification, the committing court does not order the return of the person to await the further action of the court, the medical superintendent may thereafter parole the person under the terms and conditions specified by the superintendent. A paroled inmate may, at any time during the parole period, be recalled to the institution. The period of parole shall in no case be less than five years, and shall be on the same general rules and conditions as parole of persons with mental health disorders.

(c) When a person has been paroled for five consecutive years, if in the opinion of the medical superintendent and the Director of State Hospitals the person is no longer a menace to the health, person, or property of himself or herself or of any other person, the medical superintendent, subject to the approval of the Director of State Hospitals, may discharge the person. The committing court shall be furnished with a certified copy of the discharge and shall thereupon dispose of the court case as it deems necessary and proper.

(d) When, in the opinion of the medical superintendent, a person previously committed as a delinquent with a mental health disorder will not benefit by further care and treatment under any facilities of the department and should be returned to the jurisdiction of the court, the superintendent of the institution and the Director of State Hospitals shall certify the opinion to the committing court, including therein a report, diagnosis, and recommendation concerning the person’s future care, supervision, or treatment. Upon receipt of the certification, the committing court shall forthwith order the return of the person to the court. The person shall be entitled to a court hearing and to present witnesses in his or her own behalf, to be represented by counsel and to cross-examine any witness who testifies against him or her. After considering all the evidence before it, the court may make a further order or commitment with reference to the person as may be authorized by law.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 144, Sec. 125. (AB 1847) Effective January 1, 2015.)