BILL ANALYSIS Ó SB 1110 Page 1 Date of Hearing: August 6, 2014 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Mike Gatto, Chair SB 1110 (Jackson) - As Amended: July 3, 2014 Policy Committee: Public SafetyVote:7-0 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: SUMMARY This bill requires the Judicial Council to revise its military service form to include information explaining various statutory rights of veterans. Requires the court to inform defendants there are provisions of law that offer assistance to veterans, and requires, if the defendant acknowledges veteran status, to file the form with the court and provide the form to prosecution and defense counsel to help determine eligibility for veterans' services. FISCAL EFFECT Negligible administrative court costs. COMMENTS 1)Rationale . The author's goal is to identify veterans who are defendants at the first possible opportunity in order to take advantage of existing programs and services. According to the author, "SB 1110 would save taxpayer money, prevent crime and unnecessary incarceration, and ensure that defendants' underlying conditions are addressed by ensuring that those who eligible under Penal Code 1170.9 and their attorneys are aware of their eligibility." 2)Current law provides that if the court concludes a defendant convicted of a criminal offense was a veteran suffering from PTSD, substance abuse, or psychological problems stemming from service in a combat theater, and the defendant is otherwise SB 1110 Page 2 eligible for probation, the court may order the defendant into a local, state, federal, or private, non-profit treatment program for a period not to exceed that which the defendant would have served in state prison or county jail, provided the defendant agrees to participate and the court determines an appropriate treatment program exists (Pen. Code, § 1170.9). 3)Support includes a list of veterans' organizations and the Judicial Council. 4)There is no registered opposition . Analysis Prepared by : Geoff Long / APPR. / (916) 319-2081