BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                          SB 659 
                                                          Page  1

Date of Hearing: August 18, 1998

              ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS 
                    Carole Migden, Chairwoman

         SB 659 (Wright) - As Amended: August 16, 1999 

Policy Committee:                              Human  
ServicesVote:7 - 1

Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local  
Program:YesReimbursable:   No

  SUMMARY  

This bill:

1)Permits individuals convicted of certain drug offenses to  
  receive CalWORKs and federal food stamp benefits, subject to  
  the following conditions:

  The individual completed or is enrolled in a drug treatment  
  program, or at least five years have elapsed since the  
  individual fulfilled the conditions of parole or probation,  
  the individual has been tested and found not to be using a  
  controlled substance, and  the individual submits to periodic  
  drug testing.

2)Requires a county-level interagency team comprised of  
  representatives from the county departments of social  
  services, alcohol and drug services, mental health services  
  and probation to provide case management services to all  
  families that include individuals receiving benefits under  
  this bill.

  FISCAL EFFECT
  
The Department of Social Services estimates that to date, 44  
individuals have been denied CalWORKs eligibility due to  
drug-related felony convictions.  Accordingly, the bill's annual  
costs likely would not exceed $150,000 (General Fund, federal  
and county funds).

  COMMENTS
  








                                                          SB 659 
                                                          Page  2

  Purpose of the Bill  .  According to the author, a 1994 study  
commissioned by the Legislature found that substance abuse  
treatment, child care, and preparation for employment would  
reduce the return-to-custody rate for women with drug-related  
offenses, and lessen the risk that their children are placed in  
foster care or involved in the criminal justice system.   The  
author asserts this bill will reduce the parole failure rate by  
providing access for individuals with drug-related felonies to  
drug treatment, child care, and job training through CalWORKs  
provided they successfully complete drug treatment.

The Los Angeles District Attorney supports the bill because he  
believes it is counterproductive to permanently deny public  
assistance to a needy person solely because of a prior drug  
conviction.  He asserts the bill will provide alternatives to a  
lifestyle involving substance abuse by supporting those who  
participate in treatment and submit to drug testing.  As a  
result, he believes the bill ultimately will reduce drug-related  
crime.

  Analysis Prepared by  : Bill Wehrle / APPR. / (916) 319-2081