Bill > SB824

This bill modifies existing law regarding the commitment of juveniles aged 14 and older to secure youth treatment facilities. The bill requires that individual rehabilitation plans now explicitly describe how the programming and treatment are designed to help the youth potentially transition to less restrictive programs. The court must now hold a hearing before approving the rehabilitation plan and provide the plan to the prosecutor and ward's counsel at least two days in advance. At each six-month review hearing, the court must assess the youth's progress toward transferring to a less restrictive program and can make orders to improve that progress. Critically, the bill mandates that the court order a transfer to a less restrictive program if it determines such a transfer would better help the youth achieve their rehabilitation goals. The bill aims to create a more structured and progressive approach to juvenile rehabilitation, focusing on preparing youth for successful community reintegration by creating clear pathways and incentives for moving to less restrictive environments. Additionally, because the bill imposes new requirements on county probation departments, it includes provisions for potential state reimbursement of any mandated local program costs.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB824