Domestic violence: probation: sobriety-monitoring pilot program.

Existing law requires the court to impose specified conditions of probation for defendants convicted of domestic violence, including referral to a batterer's program in which participation in substance abuse counseling is a standard component for defendants who are chronic users or serious abusers of drugs and alcohol. If probation is granted in domestic violence cases, existing law authorizes the probation department or the court to make provisions for a defendant to receive alcohol and drug services using the defendant's own resources. This bill would establish a 3-year pilot program in the County of Los Angeles to require a sobriety-monitoring program for a person convicted of, and placed on probation for, a domestic violence offense if the offense was committed by a defendant with the presence of alcohol, and who has one or more prior convictions for a domestic violence offense where there is evidence of a prior offense having been committed by the defendant with the presence of alcohol, or who has a history of alcohol abuse. The requirement that the defendant enter the sobriety-monitoring program may be removed from the terms of probation if the court determines that the interests of justice would not be served by having the defendant participate in the program. The bill would require the County of Los Angeles to report to the Legislature, as specified, on or before April 1, 2026. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.