The Sacramento County Planning Commission held an informational workshop to discuss and receive feedback on a proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment aimed at streamlining housing production and infill development. The meeting also addressed the repeal of the Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance.
California's mental health diversion law is groundbreaking. It is far and away the most sweeping kind of law like this in the nation. It applies to all misdemeanor offenses other than driving under the influence. It applies to all felony offenses other than murder and sex crimes with the exception of indecent exposure. It also covers all diagnoses that are within the DSM manual, whether commonly schizophrenia, bipolar, PTSD, but also substance use disorders. And it is presumed that that illness resulted in the criminal offense. If the judge ultimately finds the person to be eligible and suitable for mental health diversion as set forth in the law and with some appellate court decisions interpreting how we are to read those provisions. and the person is put into a pre-trial diversionary program, meaning there's no conviction, there's not even a grant of probation. Now in Sacramento, we have a somewhat unique feature. For very serious felony offenders, the judge has the option of placing a person on the Track A program, resulting in probation supervision. It is a wonderful program with wonderful probation officers that has really allowed us to treat in the community some potentially very dangerous offenders. For a misdemeanor, it's a maximum of one year on mental health diversion. For felonies, it's a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years. Upon graduation, the case is dismissed and the record is sealed. During the time while they're in the court, they will make routine appearances to the mental health treatment court. There is a collaborative team, treatment professionals, probation, DA, defense, the judge, all working together to provide treatment though with accountability. Now, if a person is kicked out of the program, commonly because they've committed a new offense, let's say, but maybe they haven't really participated in the court-ordered program despite how many tries they may have been given. If they're terminated, their case then goes back to square one in the criminal courts. The program that Sacramento County has built is remarkable. both in the services that are being provided and the scope of it. At present, we have over 1,000 people on mental health diversion, 800 of whom are there for felony offenses.
This transcript was automatically generated from the official public meeting video and is presented unedited. It reflects remarks made on the public record by elected officials, staff, and public commenters. Transcript accuracy may vary; view the original recording for reference.