Administration of Justice update 4/25/2014
Realignment Resources
PPIC Data Report and Speakers Series Focus on Corrections Reform
Recently, the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) has been focusing much of its research efforts on exploring a number of issues related to Criminal Justice Realignment. Several reports on a broad array of topics relating to AB 109 are currently available on the PPIC’s website including their most recent report on the subject, “Corrections Realignment and Data Collection in California.”
In this report, the PPIC concludes that counties need better and more accessible data in order to evaluate which corrections and recidivism reduction strategies are most effective. To read the full report, please click here.
In addition to the release of the data report, the PPIC convened a panel of experts to discuss how Realignment has fundamentally changed California’s criminal justice system. During the presentation, panelists including CSAC’s Executive Director Matt Cate, Senate President Pro Tem Darryl Steinberg, and Assembly Public Safety Committee Vice Chair Assembly Member Melissa Melendez provided their personal perspectives on what recidivism reduction strategies are working and what challenges remain. To view the PPIC Speaker Series video, please click here.
Community Oriented Correctional Health Services Webcast Available Now
On April 3rd, Community Oriented Correctional Health Services (COCHS) and Health Affairs held a national conference in Washington, DC, to explore the implications of health reform for justice-involved individuals.
The conference covered multiple topics including health and criminal justice policy, Medicaid eligibility and enrollment, integration of community and jail health systems, and health information technology’s role in building connectivity between corrections and the greater health care community.
Key highlights of the conference included a lively panel discussion focused on electronic health records in the correctional setting, as well as a presentation from the U.S. Department of Justice on their efforts to help states and local jurisdictions leverage the opportunities provided by the ACA to improve access to health coverage for the justice-involved population.
To view the full webcast of the conference, please click here.
Misdemeanor Violations / Amnesty Program
AB 2085 (Fox) –
Concerns As amended
Last week, we brought to your attention our concerns with Assembly Bill 2085 authored by Assembly Member Steve Fox which revises existing law related to amnesty programs and debt collection.
As you will recall, we at CSAC questioned whether the jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction approach outlined in the bill was appropriate and whether the timing was right to launch another amnesty program given that the last effort to collect outstanding debt under a similar program concluded only 18 months ago.
Since then, we have continued to review the language of the bill, as well as the recent amendments which clarify that the amnesty programs would be executed only when local courts and counties agree on implementation. It has also come to our attention that the bill is intended to target misdemeanants whose court-ordered traffic fines are unlikely to be collected by other means. Given that the bill could potentially result in additional debt collection for counties and courts that choose to participate by providing a financial incentive for debtors to pay fines owed, we are no longer contemplating an oppose position on the bill. Instead, CSAC will continue to monitor the measure as it moves forward and welcomes any feedback or comments regarding operational concerns you may have relating to the bill as amended.
The bill was approved in the Assembly Transportation Committee on April 21, 2014, and now awaits a hearing in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Court Witnesses: Local Agency Employees
AB 2727 (Frazier) – Support
As introduced February 21, 2014
CSAC is pleased to support Assembly Bill 2727 authored by Assembly Member Jim Frazier which would increase the deposit amount paid to local public agencies when an employee is subpoenaed to appear as a witness in civil litigation.
Specifically, this bill increases the amount that a party must pay to a local agency for each day an employee is required to remain in attendance and participate in court-related activities pursuant to a civil subpoena issued at the party’s request. The current deposit amount under existing law is $125 dollars per day. Assembly Bill 2727 would increase this amount to $275 dollars per day.
CSAC agrees with the author’s view that current law has not kept pace with inflation and today’s deposit amount established 19 years ago does not sufficiently reflect the change in employee salaries and expenses over time. Given that the bill will bring the deposit amount into conformity with other state and county employees subpoenaed pursuant to civil litigation, CSAC supports this measure.
The bill was approved unanimously on the Assembly Floor and now awaits a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Vehicle Registration Fees: Fingerprint Identification
AB 2393 (Levine) – Support
As introduced February 21, 2014
CSAC supports Assembly Bill 2393 authored by Assembly Member Marc Levine which would allow counties to impose an increased vehicle registration fee to fund fingerprint identification programs used by local enforcement.
Specifically, this measure authorizes an increased vehicle registration fee from $1 to $2 for non-commercial vehicles, and from $2 to $4 for commercial vehicles, for counties that have opted to fund fingerprint identification programs, also known as Cal-ID. These programs assist local law enforcement in identifying human remains and criminal suspects involved in vehicular crime. The bill also allows counties that were not previously participating in the Cal-ID program to begin imposing the vehicle registration fee as the increased rate of $2 for non-commercial vehicles and $4 for commercial vehicles.
Given the current – and continuing – fiscal challenges facing counties and local law enforcement, CSAC believes the additional authority to levy an increased vehicle registration fee will go a long way in enhancing local efforts to enforce vehicle code violations and keep our roadways safe. For these reasons, CSAC supports this measure.
The bill passed out of the Assembly Transportation Committee and now awaits a hearing in the Assembly Local Government Committee.
Counties: Search and Rescue Costs
AB 2151 (Wagner) – Support
As introduced February 20, 2014
CSAC supports Assembly Bill 2151 authored by Assembly Member Don Wagner which would allow a city or county to seek reimbursement from residents in specified instances when search and rescue costs are incurred.
Specifically, this measure allows a city or county to seek reimbursement from a resident when search and rescue efforts necessitate the use of extraordinary methods and certain acts or omissions were a contributing factor to the need for search and rescue. The bill would further require a person who is deemed as having the ability to pay, to remit those funds to the city or county within 30 days.
Given the amount of staff and resources often involved in complex and time sensitive rescue efforts, in our view, this measure provides a much-needed cost assistance tool to ensure that search and rescue expenses do not greatly exceed a county’s financial capacity. For these reasons, CSAC supports the measure.
Assembly Bill 2151 is currently awaiting a hearing in the Assembly Local Government Committee.
Jails and Juvenile Facilities: Telephone Service Contracts
AB 1876 (Quirk) – Request for Comment
As amended April 10, 2014
CSAC is currently reviewing the language of Assembly Bill 1876 authored by Assembly Member Bill Quirk and would appreciate any feedback from counties regarding operational or fiscal concerns with the measure given that it will prohibit commissions in telephone service contracts for county jails and juvenile facilities, as well as require such contracts to be awarded to the lowest bidder.
Specifically, the bill requires any contract to provide telephone services to any person detained in a juvenile facility or a jail to be negotiated and awarded to an entity that meets the facility’s technical and functional requirements, and that also provides the lowest cost of service to any person that pays for telephone service. The bill further prohibits a contract for telephone service at a juvenile facility of county jail from including any commission or other payment to the entity operating the jail or juvenile facility.
Supporters include a large coalition of social justice organizations arguing that higher service fees limit access to phone calls that help inmates maintain bonds with support systems in the community which are necessary for successful reintegration and reentry. The California State Sheriffs’ Association opposes the measure on several grounds including in their view that the bill will actually harm the inmate population it seeks to assist by reducing the amount of funding into the Inmate Welfare Fund (IWF) which assists with the costs of inmate education and rehabilitative programs, as well as hygiene supplies for indigent inmates. Under existing law, any commission or rebate from a phone service provider must be deposited into the IWF.
Assembly bill 1876 was approved on a bipartisan vote in the Assembly Local Government Committee and now awaits a vote on the Assembly Floor.