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EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
Governor

Health and Human Services Agency
California Department of Public Health


AFL 26-15
May 14, 2026


TO:
Acute Psychiatric Hospitals

SUBJECT:
Acute Psychiatric Hospitals 5-Day Notice of Proposed Emergency Regulatory Action DPH-19-001E

​​​​​​​​​​


​AUTHORITY:     Government Code (GOV) sections 11346.1(a)(2) and 11349.6
                                Title 1 California Code of Regulations (CCR) section 48
                                Health and Safety Code (HSC) section 1276.4


​All Facilities Letter (AFL) Summary​

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is providing a Five-Day Notice for the Proposed Emergency Regulatory Action for Acute Psychiatric Hospitals (APHs). The five working day period will begin May 15, 2026, and end on May 21, 2026. CDPH will submit the proposed emergency regulation to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) on May 21, 2026.

​The purpose of the proposed regulations is to fully effectuate the legislative mandate under HSC section 1276.4 to establish standards for nurse-to-patient ratios in APHs.

Notice of Proposed Emergency Action

CDPH is providing a Five-Day Notice for the Proposed Emergency Action for APHs. The five working day period will begin on May 15, 2026, and end on May 21, 2026. CDPH will submit the proposed emergency regulation to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) on May 21, 2026.

Pursuant to GOV section 11346.1(a)(2) and Title 1 CCR section 48, notice is hereby given that CDPH proposes to adopt on an emergency basis Title 22, Division 5, Chapter 2, Article 3 of the CCR, to be in effect June 1, 2026.

This notice is being provided at least five working days prior to the proposed emergency regulation action with the Office of Administrative Law (OAL). A copy of the text of the proposed emergency regulations and finding of emergency are enclosed and available for review on CDPH's Office of Regulations' DPH-19-001E Acute Psychiatric Hospitals​​ webpage.    

After submission of the proposed emergency regulations to OAL, OAL shall allow interested persons five calendar days to submit comments on the proposed emergency regulations as set forth in GOV section 11349.6 to the OAL reference attorney by:

  • Mail: 300 Capitol Mall, Suite 1250, Sacramento, California 95814
  • Fax: (916) 323-6826
  • Email: staff@OAL.ca.gov

To request a copy of the notice and regulation text in an alternate format, please email CDPH at: Regulations@cdph.ca.gov​​. Please include the regulation title and control number Acute Psychiatric Hospitals DPH-19-001E.

For any additional questions or comments, please email the CHCQ Regulation Development Section at: CHCQRegulations@cdph.ca.gov.​

 

Sincerely,

Original signed by Mandi Posner

Mandi Posner
Deputy Director​​


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