Bill > SB492

This bill modifies existing laws concerning the civil commitment of sexually violent predators, individuals convicted of sexually violent offenses who have a diagnosed mental disorder making them a danger to others and likely to re-offend. Key changes include expanding the definition of "predatory" to encompass acts with multiple victims regardless of the relationship or timing, and clarifying that a prior juvenile adjudication for a sexually violent offense can count as a conviction if certain conditions are met, including commitment to the Division of Juvenile Facilities instead of the Department of the Youth Authority. The bill also streamlines the evaluation and petition process for civil commitment by allowing the Division of Juvenile Facilities to refer individuals for evaluation, ensuring timely notification to relevant attorneys, and clarifying the roles of the State Department of Mental Health and county attorneys in the evaluation and petition filing process. Additionally, it expands victim rights by allowing them to present relevant evidence in hearings and clarifies that a committed person can petition for conditional release or unconditional discharge, with specific procedures for subsequent petitions and the burden of proof resting on the petitioner.