BILL NUMBER: AB 1300 CHAPTERED 10/11/07 CHAPTER 458 FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE OCTOBER 11, 2007 APPROVED BY GOVERNOR OCTOBER 11, 2007 PASSED THE SENATE AUGUST 30, 2007 PASSED THE ASSEMBLY SEPTEMBER 4, 2007 AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 22, 2007 AMENDED IN SENATE JULY 9, 2007 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 19, 2007 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Price FEBRUARY 23, 2007 An act to amend Sections 1710 and 1714 of, and to add Section 1712.1 to, the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to juveniles. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1300, Price. The Family Connection and Young Offender Rehabilitation Act of 2007. (1) Existing law states that the purpose of the Division of Juvenile Programs within the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is to provide comprehensive training, treatment, and rehabilitative services to youthful offenders under the jurisdiction of the department, that are designed to promote community restoration and accountability to victims, and to produce youth who become law-abiding and productive members of society. This bill would expand the purpose of the division to include the provision of comprehensive education to youthful offenders, in addition to training, treatment, and rehabilitative services, and it would provide that the services shall be designed to promote family ties, in addition to community restoration and accountability to victims, and to produce youth who become law-abiding and productive members of society. This bill would provide that a ward confined in a facility of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Juvenile Facilities, shall be encouraged to communicate with family members, clergy, and others, and to participate in programs, that will facilitate his or her education, rehabilitation, and accountability to victims, and that may help the ward become a law-abiding and productive member of society. Among other things, the bill would require the division or facility to maintain a toll-free telephone number for information relating to visitation. (2) Existing law authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to transfer persons confined in one institution or facility of the Division of Juvenile Facilities to another. This bill would require proximity to family to be considered in placement of those persons. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the Family Connection and Young Offender Rehabilitation Act of 2007. SEC. 2. Section 1710 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read: 1710. (a) Commencing July 1, 2005, any reference to the Department of the Youth Authority in this or any other code refers to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Juvenile Facilities. (b) The Legislature finds and declares the following: (1) The purpose of the Division of Juvenile Facilities within the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is to protect society from the consequences of criminal activity by providing for the secure custody of wards, and to effectively and efficiently operate and manage facilities housing youthful offenders under the jurisdiction of the department, consistent with the purposes set forth in Section 1700. (2) The purpose of the Division of Juvenile Programs within the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is to provide comprehensive education, training, treatment, and rehabilitative services to youthful offenders under the jurisdiction of the department, that are designed to promote community restoration, family ties, and accountability to victims, and to produce youth who become law-abiding and productive members of society, consistent with the purposes set forth in Section 202. (3) The purpose of the Division of Juvenile Parole Operations within the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is to monitor and supervise the reentry into society of youthful offenders under the jurisdiction of the department, and to promote the successful reintegration of youthful offenders into society, in order to reduce the rate of recidivism, thereby increasing public safety. SEC. 3. Section 1712.1 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read: 1712.1. (a) A ward confined in a facility of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Juvenile Facilities, shall be encouraged to communicate with family members, clergy, and others, and to participate in programs that will facilitate his or her education, rehabilitation, and accountability to victims, and that may help the ward become a law-abiding and productive member of society. If the division or a facility requires a ward to provide a list of allowed visitors, calls, or correspondents, that list shall be transferable from facility to facility, so that the transfer of the ward does not unduly interrupt family and community communication. (b) A ward shall be allowed a minimum of four telephone calls to his or her family per month. A restriction or reduction of the minimum amount of telephone calls allowed to a ward shall not be imposed as a disciplinary measure. If calls conflict with institutional operations, supervision, or security, telephone usage may be restricted to the extent reasonably necessary for the continued operation and security of the facility. (c) (1) If a ward's visitation rights are suspended, division or facility staff shall be prepared to inform one or more persons on the list of those persons allowed to visit the ward, if any of those persons should call to ask. (2) The division or facility shall maintain a toll-free telephone number that families and others may call to confirm visiting times, and to provide timely updates on interruptions and rescheduling of visiting days, times, and conditions. SEC. 4. Section 1714 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read: 1714. The Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation may transfer persons confined in one institution or facility of the Division of Juvenile Facilities to another. Proximity to family shall be one consideration in placement.