BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1672
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Date of Hearing: April 12, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
Jacqui Irwin, Chair
AB 1672
(Mathis) - As Amended March 28, 2016
SUBJECT: Veterans and community courts: Judicial Council study
SUMMARY: Requires the Judicial Council to study the impact of
veterans' courts, or the lack thereof, on veterans involved in
the criminal justice system, the availability of technology to
increase access to veterans' courts, and the utility of
community courts as a substitute. Specifically, this bill:
1)Mandates that Judicial Council assess, on a statewide basis,
veterans treatment courts currently in operation, including
the number of veteran participants in the program, available
services, and program outcomes including, but not limited to,
the number successful program completions or program
terminations.
2)Specifies that the assessment shall evaluate the impact of a
sample of veterans treatment courts on participant outcomes,
including, but not limited to, program recidivism, mental
health, homelessness, employment, social stability, and
substance abuse.
3)Directs Judicial Council to survey counties that do not
operate veterans treatment courts to identify barriers to
program implementation and assess the need for veterans
treatment courts in those jurisdictions based on available
AB 1672
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existing veterans services and the estimated number of
veterans involved in the local criminal justice system. The
survey shall identify alternative resources that may be
available to veterans, such as community courts or other
collaborative justice courts.
4)The bill would require the Judicial Council to report to the
Legislature on the results of the study, as specified, on or
before June 1, 2019.
5)States that 50% of the cost of this study shall be paid by
private funds and 50% shall be paid by public funds.
6)Sunsets these provisions on January 1, 2020.
EXISTING LAW:
1)Vests in the superior courts the judicial power of California.
(Cal. Const. art. VI, § 1.)
2)Establishes the Judicial Council and authorizes them to make
rules and recommendations regarding the operation of the
courts. (Cal. Const. art. VI, § 6(d).)
3)Allows courts to make rules for the administration of the
courts so long as they are not otherwise prohibited by the
Constitution, statute or rules adopted by the Judicial
Council. (Gov. Code, § 68070; Wisniewski v. Clary (1975) 46
Cal.App.3d 499.)
4)Requires judges to identify veteran defendants suffering from
sexual trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain
injury, substance abuse, or mental health problems as a result
of his or her service and use this status as a factor in favor
of granting probation and/or ordering participation in
approved treatment programs. (Pen. Code, § 1170.9.)
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FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown
COMMENTS:
This bill would, if funded, direct the Judicial Council to study
various aspects of veteran treatment courts. The study would,
if completed, provide the Legislature and the Governor with
additional information on which to base policy decisions
concerning veteran treatment courts.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
California Public Defenders Association
Opposition
AB 1672
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None on File
Analysis Prepared by:Jenny Callison / V.A. / (916) 319-3550