This bill places more emphasis on treatment and early intervention as the more appropriate solution to people who have mental health and addiction issues, rather than driving them deeper into the criminal justice system. To achieve this goal, one component of the bill is to create a separate statute for drug possession and reduces some drug possession related sentences. This is critical as it can be difficult for people with felony charges to access public benefits and services. Additionally, this bill will create a new legislative declaration that directly preceded the drug statutes. This will help judges, and other judicial decision makers, understand this shift to a public health approach for people who suffer from mental health and substance abuse issues. It also directs the savings that is recognized from the reduction in incarceration to fund community-based treatment programs.
Signed into Law by the Governor 5/25/10