BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    




                    Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
          
                                           1536 (Cardenas)
          
          Hearing Date:  8/20/01          Amended: 7/9/01        
          Consultant:  Karen French           Policy Vote: Public  
          Safety  5-0              
          ____________________________________________________________ 
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          BILL SUMMARY: 
          
          AB 1536 establishes a truancy court pilot program in one  
          department in the Juvenile Division of the Los Angeles  
          Superior Court selected by the Judicial Council that would  
          be devoted exclusively to truancy issues and would operate  
          through January 1, 2004.  The bill requires the court to  
          submit an evaluation to the Legislature by April 15, 2004.

                              Fiscal Impact (in thousands)
           
          Major Provisions        2001-02             2002-03               2003-04   
           Fund  
          
          LA truancy pilot             $750*      $1,500           
          $1,500General

          *Included in the Budget Bill, but vetoed by the Governor
          
          STAFF COMMENTS:  
          
          This bill meets the criteria for referral to the Suspense  
          File.

          Existing law provides that any minor who has four or more  
          truancies within one school year is under the jurisdiction  
          of the juvenile court and may be judged a ward of the  
          court.  Existing law also creates the truancy mediation  
          program to assist in the resolution of juveniles who  
          habitually are absent from school