Section 2357 Of Chapter 5. Powers And Duties Of Guardian Or Conservator Of The Person From California Probate Code >> Division 4. >> Part 4. >> Chapter 5.
2357
. (a) As used in this section:
(1) "Guardian or conservator" includes a temporary guardian of the
person or a temporary conservator of the person.
(2) "Ward or conservatee" includes a person for whom a temporary
guardian of the person or temporary conservator of the person has
been appointed.
(b) If the ward or conservatee requires medical treatment for an
existing or continuing medical condition which is not authorized to
be performed upon the ward or conservatee under Section 2252, 2353,
2354, or 2355, and the ward or conservatee is unable to give an
informed consent to this medical treatment, the guardian or
conservator may petition the court under this section for an order
authorizing the medical treatment and authorizing the guardian or
conservator to consent on behalf of the ward or conservatee to the
medical treatment.
(c) The petition shall state, or set forth by medical affidavit
attached thereto, all of the following so far as is known to the
petitioner at the time the petition is filed:
(1) The nature of the medical condition of the ward or conservatee
which requires treatment.
(2) The recommended course of medical treatment which is
considered to be medically appropriate.
(3) The threat to the health of the ward or conservatee if
authorization to consent to the recommended course of treatment is
delayed or denied by the court.
(4) The predictable or probable outcome of the recommended course
of treatment.
(5) The medically available alternatives, if any, to the course of
treatment recommended.
(6) The efforts made to obtain an informed consent from the ward
or conservatee.
(7) The name and addresses, so far as they are known to the
petitioner, of the persons specified in subdivision (c) of Section
1510 in a guardianship proceeding or subdivision (b) of Section 1821
in a conservatorship proceeding.
(d) Upon the filing of the petition, unless an attorney is already
appointed the court shall appoint the public defender or private
counsel under Section 1471, to consult with and represent the ward or
conservatee at the hearing on the petition and, if that appointment
is made, Section 1472 applies.
(e) Notice of the petition shall be given as follows:
(1) Not less than 15 days before the hearing, notice of the time
and place of the hearing, and a copy of the petition shall be
personally served on the ward, if 12 years of age or older, or the
conservatee, and on the attorney for the ward or conservatee.
(2) Not less than 15 days before the hearing, notice of the time
and place of the hearing, and a copy of the petition shall be mailed
to the following persons:
(A) The spouse or domestic partner, if any, of the proposed
conservatee at the address stated in the petition.
(B) The relatives named in the petition at their addresses stated
in the petition.
(f) For good cause, the court may shorten or waive notice of the
hearing as provided by this section. In determining the period of
notice to be required, the court shall take into account both of the
following:
(1) The existing medical facts and circumstances set forth in the
petition or in a medical affidavit attached to the petition or in a
medical affidavit presented to the court.
(2) The desirability, where the condition of the ward or
conservatee permits, of giving adequate notice to all interested
persons.
(g) Notwithstanding subdivisions (e) and (f), the matter may be
submitted for the determination of the court upon proper and
sufficient medical affidavits or declarations if the attorney for the
petitioner and the attorney for the ward or conservatee so stipulate
and further stipulate that there remains no issue of fact to be
determined.
(h) The court may make an order authorizing the recommended course
of medical treatment of the ward or conservatee and authorizing the
guardian or conservator to consent on behalf of the ward or
conservatee to the recommended course of medical treatment for the
ward or conservatee if the court determines from the evidence all of
the following:
(1) The existing or continuing medical condition of the ward or
conservatee requires the recommended course of medical treatment.
(2) If untreated, there is a probability that the condition will
become life-endangering or result in a serious threat to the physical
or mental health of the ward or conservatee.
(3) The ward or conservatee is unable to give an informed consent
to the recommended course of treatment.
(i) Upon petition of the ward or conservatee or other interested
person, the court may order that the guardian or conservator obtain
or consent to, or obtain and consent to, specified medical treatment
to be performed upon the ward or conservatee. Notice of the hearing
on the petition under this subdivision shall be given for the period
and in the manner provided in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section
1460) of Part 1.