BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 2570
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 2570 (Skinner)
As Amended June 18, 2014
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |78-0 |(May 15, 2014) |SENATE: |35-0 |(July 3, 2014) |
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Original Committee Reference: PUB. S.
SUMMARY : Requires the California Rehabilitation Oversight Board
(C-ROB), beginning January 1, 2015, to examine the Department of
Corrections and Rehabilitation's (CDCR) effort to assist inmates and
parolees obtain postrelease health care coverage.
The Senate amendments require C-ROB, beginning January 1, 2015, to
examine the CDCR's effort to assist inmates and parolees obtain
postrelease health care coverage.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Creates C-ROB within the Office of the Inspector General (OIG),
and states that C-ROB shall consist of the following 11 members:
a) The Inspector General, who shall serve as chair.
b) The Secretary of CDCR.
c) The Superintendent of Public Instruction, or his or her
designee.
d) The Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, or his
or her designee.
e) The Director of Health Care Services, or his or her
designee.
f) The Director of State Hospitals, or his or her designee.
g) A faculty member of the University of California who has
expertise in rehabilitation of criminal offenders, appointed by
the President of the University of California.
h) A faculty member of the California State University, who has
AB 2570
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expertise in rehabilitation of criminal offenders, appointed by
the Chancellor of the California State University.
i) A county sheriff, appointed by the Governor.
j) A county chief probation officer, appointed by the Senate
Rules Committee.
aa) A local government official who provides mental health,
substance abuse, or educational services to criminal offenders,
appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly.
2)Requires C-ROB to meet at least quarterly, and regularly examine
the various mental health, substance abuse, educational, and
employment programs for inmates and parolees operated by CDCR.
C-ROB 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 CDCR, and levels of offender
participation and success in the programs. C-ROB shall also make
recommendations to the Governor and Legislature with respect to
modifications, additions, and eliminations of rehabilitation and
treatment programs.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Appropriations Committee,
pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.
COMMENTS : According to the author:
There are a variety of programs that assist inmates and
parolees become productive citizens in our communities.
Under current law, the California Rehabilitation Oversight
Board (the Board) is the entity charged with reviewing
these rehabilitation and treatment programs. The goal of
this review is to ensure that the State has adequate
services for inmates and parolees and also to identify
deficiencies. The Board was created in 2007 to provide
recommendations to the Legislature and the Governor on
whether inmate rehabilitation and treatment programs need
modification, additions, or elimination. Successful
rehabilitation programs would mean less recidivism
throughout the state.
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Currently, the Board is not required to review health care
programs that would help inmates and parolees
rehabilitate. The health care of an inmate is a key
factor in whether he or she will be able to successfully
reintegrate into society. Inmates who need medical
attention in prison are likely to also need health care
once released. Research shows that formerly incarcerated
individuals who have access to medical services upon
release have reduced recidivism rates, increasing the
likelihood they will become productive citizens. A recent
report studying the social and health factors affecting
recently released inmates concludes that health insurance
coverage for recently released inmates is strongly
associated with reduced recidivism rates for men and
women. Adding health care review to the Board's purview
would allow the state to identify programs to assist
inmates who will need medical services upon release.
Furthermore, MediCal has been expanded to previously
uncovered populations in California, including single men
making less than 133% of the federal poverty rate. Under
the expansion, a portion of individuals currently
sentenced, and those recently released, are now eligible
for MediCal. The Board should review health care programs
to better understand ways to help formerly incarcerated
individuals take advantage of the recent MediCal
expansion.
AB 2570 requires the C-ROB to review and examine health
care programs that are offered to inmates and parolees.
This would allow the Board to make recommendations to the
Legislature on any possible remedies that would make these
programs more efficient and effective.
Please see the policy committee analysis for a full discussion of
this bill.
Analysis Prepared by : Stella Choe / PUB. S. / (916) 319-3744 FN:
0004099