BILL NUMBER: AB 2316 AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 25, 2000 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 28, 2000 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Mazzoni(Coauthors: Assembly Members Kuehl, Longville, and Strom-Martin)(Coauthors: Assembly Members Alquist, Kuehl, Longville, Migden, Romero, Strom-Martin, Thomson, and Washington) (Coauthor: Senator Solis) FEBRUARY 24, 2000 An act to add Chapter 17 (commencing with Section 7440) to Title 7 of Part 3 of the Penal Code, relating to children of incarcerated parents, and making an appropriation therefor. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2316, as amended, Mazzoni. Children of incarcerated parents: study. Existing law establishes the California Institution for Women for the punishment, treatment, supervision, custody, and control of females convicted of felonies. The Department of Corrections is required to establish and implement a community treatment program for women sentenced to state prison who have one or more children under the age of 6 years. In operating the program, the department is required to make its prime concern the establishment of a safe and wholesome environment for the participating children. This bill would require the California Research Bureau (CRB) in the California State Library, pursuant to specified guidelines, to conduct a study of the children of parents who are incarcerated in state prisons. The bill would appropriate the sum of$99,000$69,000 from the General Fund to the California Research Bureau for the purpose of implementing its provisions. Vote: 2/3. Appropriation: yes. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Chapter 17 (commencing with Section 7440) is added to Title 7 of Part 3 of the Penal Code, to read: CHAPTER 17. CHILDREN OF INCARCERATED PARENTS 77440. The California Research Bureau (CRB) in the California State Library shall conduct a study of the children of parents who are incarcerated in state prisons. The CRB shall design and complete the study, surveying selected state prisoners in cooperation with the Department of Corrections, and reviewing the records of local agencies to obtain outcome information about a sample of prisoners' children and a control sample. 77441. The purpose of the survey of state prisoners is to determine how many have children and to gather basic information about the children to include the following variables, among others: (a) Number. (b) Age. (c) Siblings. (d) Location. (e) Caregiver. (f) Grade in school. (g) Medical issues. (h) Possible delinquency. (i) Visitation. 77442. The purpose of the review of local agency records, in a representative sample of California counties, is to obtain outcome information about the status of a sample of the children of incarcerated parents. This information will be of value in establishing public costs associated with the care these children and in determining any special needs and problems that targeted public programs might meet. The review shall be undertaken by the CRB. 77443. The confidentiality of records shall be maintained. 77444. The CRB shall convene an advisory group to assist in designing and administering the study. Any costs associated with convening the advisory group are to be paid for by funds appropriated pursuant to this act. SEC. 2. The amount ofninety-nine thousand dollars ($99,000)sixty-nine thousand dollars ($69,000) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the California Research Bureau for the purpose of implementing Section 7440 of the Penal Code. ____ CORRECTIONS Heading -- Lines 2 and 3. ____