The Commission supported nine bills that would implement its recommendations and has evaluated one reorganization plan during the 2009-10 Legislative Session. The Commission only takes positions on legislation that would implement its recommendations and is currently monitoring additional measures. The measures that the Commission has supported during the 2009-10 Legislative Session were in the areas of corrections, sentencing and parole, emergency preparedness and general government. Of those nine bills, three were signed into law, four were vetoed and two failed to pass.
Emergency Preparedness
AB 611 (Fong) Emergency services: populations with limited English proficiency.
Summary: Requires the California Emergency Management Agency to take measures to help people with limited English proficiency prepare for emergencies and understand information conveyed during emergencies, such as utilizing bilingual persons in public contact positions and coordinating with organizations that represent the needs of people with limited English proficiency in order to disseminate guidance to local and regional governmental entities.
Final Action: Vetoed by the Governor.
Corrections, Sentencing and Parole
SB 292 (Hancock) Prisoners: alternative incarceration.
Summary: Authorizes the secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to enter into contracts with Alternative Incarceration Facilities for housing certain nonviolent inmates. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2003 report, Back to the Community: Safe & Sound Parole Policies.
Support Letter
Final Action: Failed Passage in Senate Appropriations Committee.
SB 678 (Leno) Criminal recidivism.
Summary: Creates the California Community Corrections Performance Incentives Act of 2009 which would establish a system of performance-based funding to support evidence-based practices relating to the supervision of adult felony probationers. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2007 report, Solving California’s Corrections Crisis: Time is Running Out.
Support Letter
Final Action: Signed by Governor, Chapter 608, Statutes of 2009.
SB 738 (Hancock) Prison inmate education.
Summary: Enacts the Prison Education Reform Act; requires a newly constituted committee to develop and implement a plan for providing transitional educational services for inmates, including, but not limited to, counseling and placement services. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2007 report, Solving California’s Corrections Crisis: Time is Running Out, its 2003 report, Back to the Community: Safe & Sound Parole Policies, and its 1994 report, Putting Violence Behind Bars: Redefining the Role of California’s Prisons.
Support Letter
Final Action: Failed Passage in Senate Appropriations Committee.
SB 1067 (Oropeza) Juvenile justice: recidivism.
Summary: Requires the Division of Juvenile Justice within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to collect recidivism rates of youthful offenders under state jurisdiction and to create an annual report that includes recidivism outcomes and rate data to post on the department’s Web site. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2008 report, Juvenile Justice Reform: Realigning Responsibilities.
Support Letter
Final Action: Vetoed by the Governor.
SB 1091 (Hancock) Medi-Cal: individuals in county juvenile detention facilities.
Summary: Enables counties to receive Medi-Cal reimbursement for medical and mental health services they provide to eligible individuals less than 21 years of age entering county juvenile detention facilities for up to 30 days or until adjudication. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2008 report, Juvenile Justice Reform: Realigning Responsibilities.
Support Letter
Final Action: Vetoed by the Governor.
SB 1266 (Liu) Inmates: alternative custody.
Summary: Authorizes an alternative custody program for female inmates and inmates who, immediately prior to incarceration, were primary caregivers of dependent children. Defines alternative custody programs and authorizes the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to enter into contracts with county agencies, not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations to promote alternative custody placements. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2004 report, Breaking the Barriers for Women on Parole.
Support Letter
Final Action: Signed by the Governor, Chapter 644, Statutes of 2010.
General Government
SB 1064 (Alquist) California Stem Cell Research and Cures Act.
Summary: Introduces various operational changes to the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) and the Independent Citizen’s Oversight Committee. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2009 report, Stem Cell Research: Strengthening Governance to Further the Voter’s Mandate.
Support Letter
Final Action: Signed by the Governor, Chapter 637, Statutes of 2010.
AB 2734 (Perez) Office of Economic Development.
Summary: Creates the Office of Economic Development, directed by a secretary appointed by the governor, to serve as the lead entity for economic strategy and marketing of California on issues related to business development, private sector investment and economic growth. The office would make recommendations to the governor and Legislature regarding economic development policies, programs and actions. This bill relates to the Commission’s 2010 report, Making up for Lost Ground: Creating a Governor’s Office of Economic Development.
Support Letter
Final Action: Vetoed by the Governor.