California Code of Regulations
Title 15 - Crime Prevention and Corrections
Division 3 - Adult Institutions, Programs and Parole
Chapter 2 - Rules and Regulations of Health Care Services
Subchapter 2 - Patient's Entitlements and Responsibilities
Article 2 - Refusal of Health Care Services
Section 3999.210 - Refusal of Treatment

(a) Health care treatment may be given without the patient's consent when an emergency exists. An emergency exists when there is a sudden, marked change in a patient's condition so that action is immediately necessary for the preservation of life or the prevention of serious bodily harm to the patient or others, and it is impracticable to first obtain consent.

(b) A patient may accept or decline any or all portions of a recommended dental treatment plan. The patient's decision is reversible at any time and shall not prejudice future treatments. Refusals shall be documented for inclusion in the patient's health record.

(c) When a patient has a valid advance health care directive or a valid executed Physicians Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST), health care staff shall act in accordance with the provisions of the advance health care directive, or POLST, as provided by law.

(d) Each institution shall establish procedures to implement the provisions of the Health Care Decisions Law, codified in the Probate Code at Division 4.7, section 4600 et seq.

(e) Health care treatment, including medication, shall not be forced over the objections of a mentally competent patient; the guardian of a mentally incompetent patient; or a responsible relative of a minor patient, except in an emergency, or as required to complete the examination or tests for tuberculosis infection, or to implement the treatment for tuberculosis disease, or unless the provisions of Probate Code sections 3200 et seq. or the procedures set forth in Penal Code section 2602 are followed.