(a)

1. (1) A Patient Management Unit (PMU) shall be established within the State Department of State Hospitals to facilitate patient movement across all facilities under its jurisdiction, as defined in Section 4100, and any psychiatric programs operated by the State Department of State Hospitals pursuant to a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
2. (2) The PMU’s responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, oversight and centralized management of patient admissions, and collection of data for reports and patient population projections.

(b) The State Department of State Hospitals shall adopt regulations, consistent with this article, concerning policies and procedures to be implemented by the PMU, including, but not limited to, both of the following:

1. (1) Policies and procedures for patient referral to the State Department of State Hospitals.
2. (2) Screening criteria that ensures that patients are placed in a State Department of State Hospitals facility or psychiatric program closest to their county of residence in the absence of a compelling reason to place the patient in another facility. Compelling reasons may include, but not be limited to, the patient’s specialized psychiatric, medical, or safety needs, and the availability of beds for his or her commitment type.