Bus. & Prof. Code, § 728 · Article 10.5. Unprofessional Conduct
Bus. & Prof. Code, § 728
Text — As published in the Legislative Counsel's database, tables dated October 18, 2026 (pubinfo_2025.zip)
(a) Any psychotherapist or employer of a psychotherapist who becomes aware through a client that the client had alleged sexual intercourse or alleged sexual behavior or sexual contact with a previous psychotherapist during the course of a prior treatment shall provide to the client a brochure developed pursuant to Section 337 that delineates the rights of, and remedies for, clients who have been involved sexually with their psychotherapists. Further, the psychotherapist or employer shall discuss the brochure with the client.
(b) Failure to comply with this section constitutes unprofessional conduct.
(c) For the purpose of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) “Psychotherapist” means any of the following:
(A) A physician and surgeon specializing in the practice of psychiatry or practicing psychotherapy.
(B) A psychologist licensed pursuant to Chapter 6.6 (commencing with Section 2900).
(C) A psychological assistant.
(D) A registered psychologist.
(E) A trainee under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.
(F) A marriage and family therapist.
(G) An associate marriage and family therapist.
(H) A marriage and family therapist trainee.
(I) A licensed educational psychologist.
(J) A clinical social worker.
(K) An associate clinical social worker.
(L) A licensed professional clinical counselor.
(M) An associate professional clinical counselor, as specified in Chapter 16 (commencing with Section 4999.10).
(N) A clinical counselor trainee, as specified in Chapter 16 (commencing with Section 4999.10).
(2) “Sexual behavior” means inappropriate contact or communication of a sexual nature. “Sexual behavior” does not include the provision of appropriate therapeutic interventions relating to sexual issues.
(3) “Sexual contact” means the touching of an intimate part of another person.
(4) “Intimate part” and “touching” have the same meanings as defined in subdivisions (g) and (e), respectively, of Section 243.4 of the Penal Code.
(5) “The course of a prior treatment” means the period of time during which a client first commences treatment for services that a psychotherapist is authorized to provide under his or her scope of practice, or that the psychotherapist represents to the client as being within his or her scope of practice, until the psychotherapist-client relationship is terminated.
Notes and commentary — not statutory text
History
Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 778, Sec. 2.5. (AB 2968) Effective January 1, 2019.
Source of truth
- Edition
- As published in the Legislative Counsel's database, tables dated October 18, 2026 (pubinfo_2025.zip)
- Official file
- https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC§ionNum=728.
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