BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  SB 1110
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   August 6, 2014

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                  Mike Gatto, Chair

                    SB 1110 (Jackson) - As Amended:  July 3, 2014 

          Policy Committee:                             Public  
          SafetyVote:7-0

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program:  
          No     Reimbursable:               

           SUMMARY  

          This bill requires the Judicial Council to revise its military  
          service form to include information explaining various statutory  
          rights of veterans.

          Requires the court to inform defendants there are provisions of  
          law that offer assistance to veterans, and requires, if the  
          defendant acknowledges veteran status, to file the form with the  
          court and provide the form to prosecution and defense counsel to  
          help determine eligibility for veterans' services. 

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          Negligible administrative court costs. 

           COMMENTS  

           1)Rationale  . The author's goal is to identify veterans who are  
            defendants at the first possible opportunity in order to take  
            advantage of existing programs and services.  

            According to the author, "SB 1110 would save taxpayer money,  
            prevent crime and unnecessary incarceration, and ensure that  
            defendants' underlying conditions are addressed by ensuring  
            that those who eligible under Penal Code 1170.9 and their  
            attorneys are aware of their eligibility."

           2)Current law  provides that if the court concludes a defendant  
            convicted of a criminal offense was a veteran suffering from  
            PTSD, substance abuse, or psychological problems stemming from  
            service in a combat theater, and the defendant is otherwise  








                                                                  SB 1110
                                                                  Page  2

            eligible for probation, the court may order the defendant into  
            a local, state,  federal, or private, non-profit treatment  
            program for a period not to exceed that which the defendant  
            would have served in state prison or county jail, provided the  
            defendant agrees to participate and the court determines an  
            appropriate treatment program exists  (Pen. Code, � 1170.9).

           3)Support  includes a list of veterans' organizations and the  
            Judicial Council.

           4)There is no registered opposition  .  

             Analysis Prepared by  :    Geoff Long / APPR. / (916) 319-2081