BILL NUMBER: SB 873	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   SEPTEMBER 1, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   AUGUST 18, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   APRIL 12, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Vasconcellos

                        FEBRUARY 25, 1999

   An act relating to sentencing.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 873, as amended, Vasconcellos.  Sentencing:  prior convictions:
  joint study.
   Existing law, known as the "3 strikes law" and codified in 2
initiative statutes, prescribes alternative prison sentencing for any
person convicted of a felony who has one or more prior serious or
violent felony convictions.
   This bill would require the Legislative Analyst to undertake a
joint study to examine the costs and benefits of the "3 strikes law"
and to report its findings, as specified, to the Legislature by
December 31, 2000.  The bill also would require the Judicial Council,
the Attorney General, and the University of California to assist the
Legislative Analyst in conducting the study.
   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.  The Legislative Analyst shall examine the costs and
benefits of the "three strikes" law, and report its findings to the
Legislature on or before December 31, 2000.  The Judicial Council,
the Attorney General, and the University of California (upon approval
by the Board of Regents) shall assist the Legislative Analyst in
conducting the study.  The report shall examine the extent to which
reductions in serious crime can be attributed to mandatory state
incarceration policies, and shall compare any ascertainable benefits
from crime prevention through incapacitation of various types of
offenders with the costs of incarcerating them.  The report shall
also assess the degree to which the "three strikes" law 
exacerbates   may effect  selective law enforcement
problems, and the cost of corrective measures.   The study shall
also include an assessment of the cost to victims as a result of
being victimized and the consequent costs to state and local
governments.   The study shall also assess the manner in which
the "three strikes" law is implemented in representative urban,
rural, and mixed urban-rural counties in California. The study shall
utilize existing resources of the participating agencies.