Overview
- Premier David Eby and Health Minister Josie Osborne announced amendments that would replace Section 31(1) with a clearer liability-protection provision.
- The new clause would be placed in Section 16 and is intended to remove ambiguity for front-line workers who treat involuntary patients.
- Officials said the four legal criteria for involuntary admission remain unchanged under the proposal.
- The amendments must be approved by the B.C. Legislature, with more details on youth-focused interventions to be released soon.
- The province cites more than 2,000 beds for involuntary treatment, including 18 opened at Alouette Correctional Centre and 10 at Surrey Pretrial Centre, with additional facilities in Surrey and Prince George in development.