Section 1502.4

(a) A licensed short-term residential therapeutic program, as defined in paragraph (18) of subdivision (a) of Section 1502, may only accept for placement a child who does not require inpatient care in a licensed health facility and who has been assessed pursuant to Section 11462.01 of the Welfare and Institutions Code as meeting the applicable criteria for placement in a short-term residential therapeutic program.

(b) For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) “Health facility” has the meaning set forth in Section 1250.

(2) “Seriously emotionally disturbed” has the same meaning as that term is used in subdivision (a) of Section 5600.3 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(c) The department shall not evaluate, nor have any responsibility or liability with regard to the evaluation of, the mental health treatment services provided pursuant to this section.

(d) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2017.