BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1362
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Date of Hearing: May 6, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Kevin De Leon, Chair
AB 1362 (Solorio) - As Amended: April 16, 2009
Policy Committee: Public
SafetyVote: 7-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill creates the 10-member California Rehabilitation
Oversight Board (C-ROB) Advisory Committee to provide assistance
and advice on strategies for accomplishing the rehabilitation
goals of the various mental health, substance abuse,
educational, and employment programs for inmates and parolees
operated by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
(CDCR). The members would be appointed as follows:
1)A clinical psychologist appointed by the Speaker.
2)A social worker appointed by the governor.
3)Two correctional peace officers, one appointed by the governor
and one by the Speaker.
4)A chaplain appointed by the governor.
5)A rehabilitation therapist appointed by the governor.
6)A teacher appointed by the governor.
7)A warden appointed by the Senate President pro Tempore.
8)A behavioral health clinician, appointed by the Senate
President pro Tempore.
9)A psychiatrist appointed by the governor.
FISCAL EFFECT
Minor costs to CDCR, likely in the range of $50,000, which would
presumably be required to staff what is presumably a volunteer
committee that is required to meet at least quarterly. If travel
and per diem is provided, those costs would be minor, likely
less than $15,000.
COMMENTS
AB 1362
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1)Rationale . The author contends that C-ROB, which reports at
least twice a year to the administration and the Legislature
regarding rehabilitative efforts within CDCR, would benefit
from the "expertise of some professionals directly involved in
the new multidisciplinary approach of CDCR to reduce
recidivism," who the author contends are not represented on
C-ROB.
According to the American Federation of State, County and
Municipal Employees (AFSCME), "CROB does not currently have a
direct channel to essential information resources to ensure
the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs. Without
consulting all professionals working with inmates and
parolees, a holistic and effective approach to rehabilitation
is impossible."
2)C-ROB , which was created in AB 900 (Solorio, Statutes of
2007), comprises 11 members as follows, or the appointee's
designee, it is not clear these appointees lack expertise or
the access to expertise:
a) The Inspector General.
b) The Secretary of the CDCR.
c) The Superintendent of Public Instruction.
d) The Chancellor of the California Community Colleges.
e) The Director of the State Department of Alcohol and Drug
Programs.
f) The Director of Mental Health.
g) A UC faculty member with expertise in rehabilitation of
criminal offenders.
h) A CSU faculty member with expertise in rehabilitation of
criminal offenders.
i) A county sheriff.
j) A chief probation officer.
aa) A local government official who provides mental health,
substance abuse, or educational services to criminal
offenders.
3)Suggested Amendments . Should this bill move, the author should
amend to (a) specify that Senate appointments are made by the
Senate Rules Committee: and (b) clarify that appointees serve
with no compensation and specify whether per diem and travel
are to be reimbursed.
AB 1362
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Analysis Prepared by : Geoff Long / APPR. / (916) 319-2081