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2nd Session, 43rd Parliament

(2026) FIRST READING

The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.

The printed version remains the official version.

GAVIN DEW

BILL M 242 – 2026

MENTAL HEALTH (BRAIN INJURY)

AMENDMENT ACT, 2026

HIS MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, enacts as follows:

CLAUSE 1: [Mental Health Act,

section 1] adds a definition of "brain injury" and amends the definition of "person with a mental disorder".

Section 1 of the Mental Health Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 288, is amended

(

a) by adding the following definition:

"brain injury" means an injury to the brain caused by external force, trauma, oxygen deprivation, infection, toxic exposure or other acquired cause that results in impairment of cognitive, emotional or behavioural functioning; , and

(

b) by repealing the definition of "person with a mental disorder" and substituting the following:

"person with a mental disorder" means a person who has

(

a) a disorder of the mind that requires treatment and seriously impairs the person's ability

(

i) to react appropriately to the person's environment, or

(ii) to associate with others, or

(

b) a brain injury that significantly impairs the person's judgement, emotional regulation or behavioural control; .

Commencement

2 This Act comes into force on the date of Royal Assent.

Explanatory Note

CLAUSE 1: [Mental Health Act,

section 1] adds a definition of "brain injury" and amends the definition of "person with a mental disorder".

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