California Legislature—2013–14 Regular Session

Assembly Bill No. 2570

Introduced by Assembly Member Skinner

February 21, 2014

An act to amend Section 6141 of the Penal Code, relating to prisons.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 2570, as introduced, Skinner. Prisons: California Rehabilitation Oversight Board.

Existing law requires the California Rehabilitation Oversight Board to regularly examine the various mental health, substance abuse, educational, and employment programs for inmates and parolees operated by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and to report to the Governor and the Legislature on March 15 and September 15 each year, as specified, including findings on the effectiveness of treatment efforts and recommendations with respect to modification, addition, and elimination of rehabilitation and treatment programs.

This bill would additionally require the board to regularly examine the health care programs for inmates and parolees operated by the department, and make reports, findings, and recommendations as described above.

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.  

Section 6141 of the Penal Code is amended to
read:

6141.  

The California Rehabilitation Oversight Board shall meet
at least quarterly, and shall regularly examine the various mental
health, begin insert health care, end insert substance abuse, educational, and employment
programs for inmates and parolees operated by the Department of
Corrections and Rehabilitation. The board shall report to the
Governor and the Legislature biannually, on March 15 and
September 15, and may submit other reports during the year if it
finds they are necessary. The reports shall include, but are not
limited to, findings on the effectiveness of treatment efforts,
rehabilitation needs of offenders, gaps in rehabilitation services
in the department, and levels of offender participation and success
in the programs. The board shall also make recommendations to
the Governor and Legislature with respect to modifications,
additions, and eliminations of rehabilitation and treatment
programs. In performing its duties, the board shall use the work
products developed for the department as a result of the provisions
of the 2006 Budget Act, including Provision 18 of Item
5225-001-0001.