Bill > AB2217

This bill renames the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) pilot program to the Alternatives to Arrest (ATA) pilot program and expands its scope and eligibility. The ATA program aims to improve public safety and reduce recidivism by connecting individuals with social services instead of immediate arrest, focusing on intensive case management, housing, mental health, and substance use treatment. The bill mandates that the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) award grants to qualifying programs, including a specific grant for the public health agencies in the City and County of Los Angeles, in addition to up to three other jurisdictions. It removes previous strict requirements for social contact referrals, allowing officers to refer individuals who they believe would benefit from case management and are at high risk of future arrest, and expands the types of offenses eligible for diversion to include certain disorderly conduct crimes, shoplifting, and other locally identified violations. The bill also changes how the program is funded and evaluated, requiring legislative appropriation for grants and directing the BSCC to report on the program's effectiveness by January 1, 2031, while also allowing funds for technical assistance from experts.

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB2217