Existing law makes it a crime to maliciously and intentionally maim, mutilate, torture, wound, or kill a living animal. If a defendant is granted probation for a conviction of this offense, existing law requires the court to order the defendant to complete counseling designed to evaluate and treat behavior or conduct disorders. This bill would delete the requirement that a defendant granted probation complete counseling and would, instead, require the court to order a defendant convicted of specified offenses, including the above-described offense, against animals and granted probation to successfully complete counseling designed to evaluate and treat behavior or conduct disorders. The bill would require the court to consider whether to order the defendant to undergo a mental health evaluation by an evaluator chosen by the court. Upon evaluation, if the evaluating mental health professional deems a higher level of treatment is necessary, the bill would require the defendant to complete such treatment as directed by the court. The bill would generally require the defendant to pay for counseling, the mental health evaluation, and subsequent treatment but would exempt a person who meets specified criteria from paying any costs and would otherwise authorize the court to establish a sliding fee schedule based on the defendant's ability to pay. The bill would additionally make records related to this evaluation and treatment confidential, as specified. By requiring local government to offer counseling as part of a defendants' probation for a conviction of specified offenses, this bill would create a state-mandated local program. Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest. This bill would make legislative findings to that effect. The California Constitution provides for the Right to Truth-In-Evidence, which requires a 23 vote of the Legislature to exclude any relevant evidence from any criminal proceeding, as specified. By excluding relevant evidence from a criminal proceeding, this bill would require a 23 vote of the Legislature. 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.
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Existing law establishes the State Department of Health Care Services within the California Health and Human Services Agency. The Naloxone Distribution Project (NDP) is administratively created by the department to reduce opioid-related overdose deaths by providing free naloxone hydrochloride to eligible entities. This bill would require the department to conduct outreach to each of the tribal governments in California for the purpose of advising them of the availability of naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist through the NDP. The bill would require the department to provide technical assistance to the tribal entities applying for naloxone kits through the NDP if requested to do so by the tribal government. The bill would require the department to report to the Legislature and to the Assembly and Senate Health Committees, the results of the outreach program, as specified, annually on or before March 31 of each year, beginning on March 31, 2025. The bill would repeal these provisions on March 31, 2027.
Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Existing law sets forth a schedule of covered benefits under the Medi-Cal program. This bill would, commencing on July 1, 2024, add pharmacogenomic testing as a covered benefit under Medi-Cal, as specified. The bill would define pharmacogenomic testing as laboratory genetic testing that includes, but is not limited to, a panel test, to identify how a person's genetics may impact the efficacy, toxicity, and safety of medications. The bill would condition implementation of this benefit coverage on receipt of any necessary federal approvals and the availability of federal financial participation. The bill would authorize the department to implement these provisions through all-county letters or similar instructions. The bill would also make related legislative findings.
Existing law defines the term "serious felony" for various purposes, including, among others, enhancing the punishment for felonies pursuant to existing sentencing provisions commonly known as the Three Strikes Law. This bill would include human trafficking of a minor within the definition of a serious felony for all purposes, including for purposes of the Three Strikes Law, except as specified. By expanding the scope of an enhancement, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. 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 no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
This measure would proclaim the month of September 2023 as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
This measure would proclaim September 2023 as California Emergency Preparedness Month.
This measure would commemorate June 2023 as the 80th Anniversary of the Zoot Suit Riots.
This measure would declare May as California Small Business Month and express the Legislature's support of the Governor's efforts in promoting small businesses.
This measure would commemorate the 70th anniversary of the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea.
This measure would declare October 2023 as Women's Small Business Month and encourage all citizens to recognize the economic importance of women's small businesses in California.