Bill Text: CA AB845 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Corrections: Reentry Advisory Committee.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Vetoed) 2010-01-14 - Consideration of Governor's veto stricken from file. [AB845 Detail]
Download: California-2009-AB845-Enrolled.html
BILL NUMBER: AB 845 ENROLLED
BILL TEXT
PASSED THE SENATE SEPTEMBER 4, 2009
PASSED THE ASSEMBLY SEPTEMBER 9, 2009
AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 25, 2009
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Bass
FEBRUARY 26, 2009
An act to amend Section 5056.5 of the Penal Code, relating to
corrections.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 845, Bass. Corrections: Reentry Advisory Committee.
Existing law requires the Secretary of the Department of
Corrections and Rehabilitation to establish a Reentry Advisory
Committee, comprised as specified, to advise the secretary on matters
related to the successful planning, implementation, and outcomes of
all reentry programs and services in the department, with the goal of
reducing recidivism. Existing law repeals these provisions on
January 1, 2011.
This bill would impose additional requirements on the committee,
including that the committee seek and apply for federal funds,
develop a comprehensive strategic reentry plan seeking to reduce the
recidivism rate, develop a comprehensive resource guide for entities
working to address reentry issues, and issue reports, as specified.
The bill would expand the membership of the committee. The bill would
extend the repeal date on these provisions until January 1, 2016.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 5056.5 of the Penal Code is amended to read:
5056.5. (a) On or before July 1, 2007, the Secretary of the
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shall establish a
Reentry Advisory Committee. The committee shall report to the
secretary, who shall serve as chair of the committee. The committee
shall include representation from stakeholders in the successful
administration of reentry programming and shall be comprised of the
following members, appointed by the secretary:
(1) A representative of the California League of Cities.
(2) A representative of the California State Association of
Counties.
(3) A representative of the California State Sheriffs'
Association.
(4) A representative of the California Police Chiefs' Association.
(5) A representative of the Department of Corrections and
Rehabilitation Adult Parole Operations.
(6) A representative of the Department of Mental Health.
(7) A representative of the Department of Social Services.
(8) A representative of the Department of Health Services.
(9) A representative of the Labor and Workforce Development
Agency.
(10) A representative of the County Alcohol and Drug Program
Administrators Association.
(11) A representative of the California Association of Alcohol and
Drug Program Executives.
(12) An individual with experience in providing housing for
low-income individuals.
(13) A recognized expert in restorative justice programs.
(14) An individual with experience in providing education and
vocational training services.
(15) An independent consultant with expertise in community
corrections and reentry services.
(16) A public defender or private defense attorney.
(17) A representative of a community-based organization who is
familiar with the reentry needs of former offenders and who has
experience advocating for former offenders and with providing reentry
services in southern California.
(18) A representative of a faith-based organization who is
familiar with the reentry needs of former offenders and who has
experience advocating for former offenders and providing reentry
services in northern California.
(b) The committee shall meet not less frequently than each quarter
and shall also meet at the call of the secretary. The committee
shall hold its meetings at a time and location that is convenient to
the public. All meetings of the committee shall be open to the
public. Members shall serve without compensation.
(c) The Reentry Advisory Committee shall advise the secretary on
all matters related to the successful statewide planning,
implementation, and outcomes of all reentry programs and services
provided by the department, with the goal of reducing recidivism of
all persons under the jurisdiction of the department. The committee
shall issue advisory reports whenever it deems appropriate, but
shall, not less frequently than annually, issue a report to the
Governor and the Legislature. The committee shall make these reports
available to the public. A report of the Reentry Advisory Committee
shall, at a minimum, include recommendations on all of the following:
(1) Collaborative reentry activities among key stakeholders at the
state and local levels.
(2) Best practice models and programs related to what people need
to successfully return to their communities from prison and what
resources communities need to successfully provide for these needs.
(3) Incorporation of reentry outcomes into department
organizational missions and work plans as priorities.
(4) Funding of reentry programs.
(5) Promoting systems of integration and coordination.
(6) Measurement and evaluation of the effect of reentry programs.
(7) Public education about reentry programs and their role in
public safety.
(d) The committee shall develop a comprehensive resource guide for
community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, service
providers, law enforcement agencies, and industry and governmental
entities working to address the issues of reentry through programs,
service delivery, or both programs and service delivery. The guide
shall also detail the availability of private, city, county, city and
county, state, and federal resources for former offenders attempting
to successfully reintegrate into society. The guide shall be made
available to the public in order to maximize the potential for
collaboration.
(e) The Reentry Advisory Committee shall immediately seek and
apply for grant funding available through the federal Second Chance
Act of 2007: Community Safety Through Recidivism Prevention (Public
Law 110-199).
(f) As required by the federal Second Chance Act of 2007:
Community Safety Through Recidivism Prevention, the Reentry Advisory
Committee shall develop a comprehensive strategic reentry plan
containing annual and five-year performance goals. The comprehensive
reentry plan shall seek to reduce the rate of recidivism by 50
percent over a five-year period for offenders released from prison,
jail, or a juvenile facility who are served with funds provided under
the federal Second Chance Act of 2007: Community Safety Through
Recidivism Prevention. The outcome measures for the plan developed
pursuant to this subdivision may include, but shall not be limited
to, the following:
(1) Reduction in crime.
(2) Increase in employment and educational opportunities.
(3) Reduction in supervised release violations.
(4) Increase in child support obligation compliance.
(5) Reduction in drug and alcohol abuse.
(6) Increase in participation in substance abuse and mental health
services.
(7) Other outcome measures that correlate positively with the
reentry success rate of offenders who transition out of prisons,
jails, or juvenile facilities.
(g) The Reentry Advisory Committee shall develop the comprehensive
strategic reentry plan in consultation with community members and
stakeholders, including persons in the fields of public safety,
juvenile and adult corrections, housing, health, education, substance
abuse, child and family services, victim services, employment, and
business, and members of nonprofit organizations working on reentry
policy or providing reentry services.
(h) The Reentry Advisory Committee shall examine ways to pool
resources and funding streams to promote lower recidivism rates among
returning offenders and to minimize the harmful effects of offender
incarceration on the families and communities of offenders by
collecting data and developing best practices on offender reentry
from demonstration grantees and other organizations.
(i) The Reentry Advisory Committee shall submit an annual report
to the Legislature and the United States Attorney General detailing
the progress of grantees towards achieving strategic performance
outcomes and describing other activities conducted by grantees to
increase the success rates of the reentry population, such as
programs that foster effective risk management and treatment
programming, offender accountability, and community and victim
participation.
(j) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2016, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later statute, that
is enacted before January 1, 2016, deletes or extends that date.
