BILL NUMBER: SB 1589	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 24, 2006
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 7, 2006
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 21, 2006
	AMENDED IN SENATE  MAY 17, 2006

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Romero

                        FEBRUARY 24, 2006

   An act to add Section 1756.5 to the Welfare and Institutions Code,
relating to the Division of Juvenile Justice.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1589, as amended, Romero  Division of Juvenile Justice:
specialized programs.
   The Division of Juvenile Justice is vested with all the powers,
functions, duties, responsibilities, obligations, liabilities, and
jurisdiction of the former Youth Authority. The Division of Juvenile
Justice consists of the Division of Juvenile Facilities, the Division
of Juvenile Programs, and the Division of Juvenile Parole Operations
under the Chief Deputy of Juvenile Justice, each headed by a chief
who is appointed by the Governor and subject to Senate confirmation.

   This bill would require the Division of Juvenile Justice to
explore options to provide specialized programs outside of division
facilities for  high-risk or high-need   female
 juvenile offenders, taking into account availability 
and specified criterion, and for female offenders   and
protection of the public  . The bill would also require the
division to  transfer all female offenders out of division
facilities as expediently as possible  provide programs
either in division facilities or in secure facilities operated under
the supervision of the division, as specified  . The bill would
further require the division to ensure that the requirements of the
division's Safety and Welfare Remedial Plan  , any subsequent
remedial plan, or any subsequent legislative plan  are met by
outside contracting entities, if any, and would also require
legislative approval for the transfer of the Ventura Youth
Correctional Facility to the Division of Adult Institutions, if
contemplated.
   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.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) The Legislature believes that the Division of Juvenile Justice
 cannot   shall  provide female wards with
the necessary programs and training to rehabilitate the majority of
those  female wards. Further, the maintenance of the Ventura
Youth Correctional Facility as a female institution deprives the
division of needed program capacity. Therefore, it is the intent of
the   female wards. Therefore, it is the intent of the
 Legislature that the division  seek  
seeks  to enter into contracts to place female wards with
providers outside of division facilities.
   (b) If governmental entities can provide gender-specific programs
that are equal to programs that can be provided by qualified private
parties, it is further the intent of the Legislature that preference
be given to placing those females with governmental entities.
  SEC. 2.  Section 1756.5 is added to the Welfare and Institutions
Code, to read:
   1756.5.  (a) The Division of Juvenile Justice shall explore
options to provide specialized programs outside of division
facilities for  high risk or high need   female
 offenders, if those programs are available  and consistent
with the protection of the public  . Specialized programs for
these offenders shall take into account commitment offenses,
delinquency history, age, gender, medical and mental health
condition, risk levels, and any other commitment criteria.
   (b) The Division of Juvenile Justice may also consider changes
with respect to eligibility, age, jurisdiction, or length of
confinement in order to ensure quality programs within division
facilities.
   (c) (1) Given the small number of female offenders and their
specialized needs, the Division of Juvenile Justice shall explore
options to provide programs for female offenders  outside of
division facilities.   in either division facilities or
secure facilities outside of division facilities operated under the
supervision of the Division of Juvenile Justice, if providing
programs in those facilities is consistent with the protection of the
public.    The division shall transfer all female
offenders out of division facilities as expediently as possible.
  The division shall transfer female offenders into
those facilities as expediently as possible. 
   (2) If the Division of Juvenile Justice contracts with outside
entities to provide services to female wards  as authorized in
paragraph (1)  , the division shall ensure that those
contracting entities will meet the requirements of the division's
Safety and Welfare Remedial Plan, dated July 10, 2006,  or
any subsequently agreed to remedial plan,  particularly the
requirement that females receive gender-specific services equal to
those provided to males under the rehabilitative model  , any
subsequently agreed to remedial plan, or any plan subsequently
authorized by the Legislature  .
   (3) If the Division of Juvenile Justice wishes to transfer control
of the Ventura Youth Correctional Facility to the Division of Adult
Institutions, the Division of Juvenile Justice shall seek the
approval of the Legislature.