- Simone Braithwaite
- Simone.Braithwaite@asm.ca.gov
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Kevin McCarty’s Hope California Act has been signed by Governor Newsom. AB 1360 creates a voluntary pilot program in Yolo and Sacramento Counties that will allow the courts to provide temporary confined drug treatment, instead of jail or prison, for those who commit felonies due to their Substance use Disorder (SUD). The bill will also allow the counties to develop wrap-around services and expunge records for patients who complete the treatment.
According to the National Institution of Health (NIH) and the National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA), an estimated 65% of the United States prison and jail populations have an active SUD. Another 20% did not meet the official criteria for a SUD, but were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crime. Additionally, economic and societal costs of untreated substance abuse in the U.S. now exceeds $700 billion.
“Incarcerated individuals diagnosed with SUDs are the fastest growing population in our county jail and state prison systems,” said Assemblymember McCarty. “For many individuals suffering with SUDS, residential and professional evidence-based treatment programs are the most effective option. Our efforts in California in treating the disease, many of who also suffer from mental health issues or experiencing homelessness, have been unsuccessful. AB 1360 provides counties an additional option for helping for those who need it most. I want to thank Yolo County DA, Jeff Reisig for his hard work and commitment to this important issue.”
“I applaud Assembly Member McCarty for his leadership on Hope CA and the legislature and Governor Newsom as well,” said Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig. “We all recognized that it is time to offer an alternative approach to rehabilitation for certain seriously addicted individuals who are convicted of non-violent offenses. Hope CA will allow these individuals to choose a path that is designed to hold them accountable for their crimes, while also receiving robust treatment in a secure environment. Ultimately, we all have hope that through this innovative approach, public safety will be improved and more offenders will recover and become productive members of society.”
“I am pleased that AB 1360, authored by Assemblymember McCarty, was signed into law by Governor Newson,” said Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho. “I have been a strong supporter of the legislation since it was originally introduced. Eight out of 10 individuals who are chronically unhoused, suffer from drug addiction or mental health disorders. This causes them to constantly cycle through the revolving door of the criminal justice system because their underlying issues are not addressed. Now have meaningful change. Successful drug treatment will lead to lower incarceration rates, lower recidivism rates, and increase public safety. The State of California now has an opportunity to tackle crime through hope, accountability, and recovery.”
###
Kevin McCarty represents California’s 6th Assembly District, which includes the city of Sacramento and parts of unincorporated Sacramento County. McCarty serves as Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance. Website of Assemblymember Kevin McCarty: https://a06.asmdc.org/