Bill Text: CA AB845 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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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-Introduced.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 845	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


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, as introduced, 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, and submit a report to the Legislature, as
specified. The bill would extend the repeal date on these provisions
until January 1, 2014.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


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.
   (b) The Reentry Advisory Committee shall meet at least quarterly
at a time and place determined by the secretary. Committee members
shall receive compensation for travel expenses pursuant to existing
regulations, but no other 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  and shall
submit a report detailing its findings and efforts to the Legislature
by July 1, 2010  . The committee shall consider and advise the
secretary on the following issues:
   (1) Encouraging collaboration among key stakeholders at the state
and local levels.
   (2) Developing a knowledge base of what people need to
successfully return to their communities from prison and what
resources communities need to successfully provide for these needs.
   (3) Incorporating reentry outcomes into department organizational
missions and work plans as priorities.
   (4) Funding of reentry programs.
   (5) Promoting systems of integration and coordination.
   (6) Measuring outcomes and evaluating the impact of reentry
programs.
   (7) Educating the public about reentry programs and their role in
public safety. 
   (d) The Reentry Advisory Committee shall immediately seek and
apply for all federal funding available through the federal Second
Chance Act of 2007: Community Safety Through Recidivism Prevention
(Public Law 110-199).  
   (e) As required by the 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 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.  
   (f) 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.  
   (g) 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.  
   (h) 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.  
   (d) 
   (i)  This section shall remain in effect only until
January 1,  2011   2014  , and as of that
date is repealed, unless a later statute, that is enacted before
January 1,  2011   2014  , deletes or
extends that date.