Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program.
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Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
Chaptered
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed Assembly
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill establishes the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court program in California. It allows courts to petition for a voluntary CARE agreement or a court-ordered CARE plan for adults with severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia, to provide them with behavioral health care, housing, and other supportive services. The bill streamlines the process, potentially allowing for a prima facie determination without a full hearing and offering a pathway for referrals from assisted outpatient treatment or conservatorship proceedings, with specific requirements for petitioner designation and record sharing.
Key provisions
- Allows courts to make a prima facie determination of eligibility for the CARE process without a hearing.
- Authorizes referrals from assisted outpatient treatment and conservatorship proceedings, with specific guidelines for petitioner designation.
- Requires the court to consider a referral to the CARE Act court if the defendant or their counsel agrees and the court believes the individual may be eligible.
- Mandates a hearing to determine eligibility for a diversion program if the petitioner is not accepted into the CARE program.
- Authorizes county behavioral health agencies and jail medical providers to share confidential medical records for eligibility assessments.
- Includes nurse practitioners and physician assistants as licensed behavioral health professionals.
- Provides for a mandatory form for CARE process petitions and requires a signed affidavit or evidence of detention.
Bill text
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Sponsors
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1 on record
Primary sponsor
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