BILL NUMBER: AB 1672	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Mathis

                        JANUARY 15, 2016

   An act to add and repeal Title 2.7 (commencing with Section 760)
of Part 2 of the Penal Code, relating to courts.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1672, as introduced, Mathis. Veterans courts: pilot program.
   Existing law, Section 6 of Article VI of the California
Constitution, establishes the Judicial Council, chaired by the Chief
Justice. Existing law authorizes the Chief Justice to expedite
judicial business and equalize the work of judges by, among other
things, assigning an active or retired judge to another court, as
specified.
   This bill would require the Judicial Council to establish and
implement a pilot program for the purpose of establishing Veterans
Courts in counties adjacent to the County of San Luis Obispo that, as
of January 1, 2017, do not have veterans courts or veterans
treatment courts, if funds are received for that purpose. The bill
would authorize the Chief Justice to assign an active or retired
judge to sit in one or more courts, and to travel between more than
one court for the purpose of providing veterans court services. The
bill would authorize the receipt of public or private funds for the
implementation of the pilot program and establish the San Luis Obispo
Regional Veterans Courts Pilot Program Fund in the State Treasury
for the deposit of those funds, which would be subject to
appropriation by the Legislature. The bill would conclude the pilot
program on January 1, 2020.
   This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to
the necessity of a special statute for the County of San Luis Obispo
and adjacent counties.
   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.  Title 2.7 (commencing with Section 760) is added to
Part 2 of the Penal Code, to read:

      TITLE 2.7.  Veterans Courts Pilot Program


   760.  (a) If the Judicial Council receives funds for the purpose
of implementing this title, the Judicial Council shall establish and
implement a pilot program for the purpose of establishing veterans
courts in counties adjacent to the County of San Luis Obispo that, as
of January 1, 2017, do not have veterans courts or veterans
treatment courts.
   (b) The pilot program established and implemented pursuant to
subdivision (a) shall promote sobriety, recovery, and stability for
veterans who are involved with the criminal justice system and whose
court cases are affected by issues such as addiction, mental illness,
and cooccurring disorders.
   (c) To provide the services described in subdivision (a), the
Chief Justice may assign an active or retired judge to sit in one or
more courts, and to travel between more than one court, as deemed
appropriate by the Chief Justice.
   (d) The pilot program may be funded by public or private funds.
There is established the San Luis Obispo Regional Veterans Courts
Pilot Program Fund in the State Treasury. Moneys received for the
purpose of implementing this title shall be deposited in the fund and
shall be subject to appropriation by the Legislature.
   (e) The pilot program shall conclude on January 1, 2020.
   765.  This title shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2020, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2020, deletes or extends
that date.
  SEC. 2.  The Legislature finds and declares that a special law is
necessary and that a general law cannot be made applicable within the
meaning of Section 16 of Article IV of the California Constitution
because of the unique need to establish veterans court services in
the region surrounding the County of San Luis Obispo.