California Bar no longer asking about mental health for C&F? Forum

[HanShotFirst]

According to this article, the California State Bar "has removed its question asking about mental health diagnosis and treatment."

http://www.bazelon.org/What-You-Can-Do/ ... Alert.aspx

Does anyone know where I could find the language of the question that was removed, as well as what (if anything) it was replaced with? And is the question that was removed different from the question about having a condition that would "currently affect ability to practice law?" This information doesn't seem to be available online but I'm hoping someone who has gone through C&F before or after this change remembers what was asked.

[furrrman]

I downloaded a few bar apps a while back just to see what they look like. I'm sure you wouldn't have trouble finding these, as well as the new one with the updated question (or lack thereof) when it is released. This is the mental health question from the old CA one:

MENTAL ILLNESS, DISEASE OR DISORDER

In answering Questions 10. 2, applicants should consider the following definitions for the words and phrases:

-"Ability to practice law" includes performing services in a court of justice, in any manner, throughout its various stages and in conformity with adopted rules of procedure. In a larger sense it includes providing legal advice and counsel and preparation of legal instruments and contracts by which legal rights are protected. Law practice may also include the resolution of legal questions for consumers by advice and action if difficult or doubtful legal questions are involved, which, to safeguard the public, reasonably demand the application of a trained legal mind.

-"Good moral character" includes qualities of honesty, fairness, candor, trustworthiness, observance of fiduciary responsibility, respect for and obedience to the laws to the state and the nation and respect for the rights of others and for the judicial process.

-"Mental illness, disease or disorder " includes mental or psychological conditions or disorders, such as, but not limited to, schizophrenia, paranoia, bipolar illness (manic depression), sociopathy or any other psychotic disorder.

-"Currently" does not mean on the day of, or even in the weeks or m onths preceding, the completion of the application. Rather, it means recently enough so that you believe that the mental condition may have an ongoing impact on your functioning as an attorney.

10.2 Have you been diagnosed or treated for a medically recognized mental illness, disease or disorder that
would currently interfere with your ability to practice law? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If YES, complete FORMS 4 and 5. Make as many COPIES of FORMS 4 and 5 as you need to describe the problem.

[HanShotFirst]

Thanks a lot!