Health and Human Services Agency
California Department of Public Health

AFL 26-25

July 16, 2026

TO:

Acute Psychiatric Hospitals (APHs)

SUBJECT:

Notice of Stakeholder Meeting for Acute Psychiatric Hospitals Regulations

All Facilities Letter (AFL) Summary

This AFL notifies acute psychiatric hospitals and interested stakeholders of the opportunity for continued stakeholder engagement on the recently promulgated acute psychiatric hospitals emergency regulations.
The next Stakeholder Engagement Meeting will be held on July 23, 2026 from 10am to 12pm.

Background

To effectuate the legislative mandate under HSC section 1276.4, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) adopted emergency regulations on June 1, 2026, to establish standards for nurse-to-patient ratios in APHs.

In an ongoing effort to develop final regulations and make any necessary adjustments, CDPH is holding continued stakeholder engagement. This is the first of the stakeholder sessions and we would like to hear your feedback on the following:

Staffing models supporting a night nurse-to-patient ratio
Role of mental health workers
Patient admission trends and process
Dedicated pediatric units
Development of APH policies and procedures
Any additional safety measures CDPH should consider

Please attend the meeting prepared to share your comments and suggestions after reviewing the Questions for Stakeholder Meeting – Acute Psychiatric Hospital Regulations (PDF). Please note that CDPH is planning on having at least one additional session to focus on additional topics.

The meeting will be held via webinar using Microsoft Teams. Please use the Microsoft Teams Registration link to register.

For questions concerning the emergency regulations, please email the CHCQ Regulation Development Section at CHCQRegulations@cdph.ca.gov.

Sincerely,

Original signed by Mandi Posner

Mandi Posner
Deputy Director