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CC - ACTION ITEM: (1) Consideration of a Letter of Support for AB 2220 (Muratsuchi) Homeless Courts Pilot Program; and (2) Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.
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Meeting Date: May 23, 2022
Contact Person/Dept.: Shelly Wolfberg/City Manager’s Office
Phone Number: (310) 253-6000
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date:
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (05/18/2022); Senator Sydney Kamlager; Assemblymember Isaac Bryan; Assemblymember
Al Muratsuchi (05/18/2022)
Department Approval: John M. Nachbar (05/18/2022)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council consider approving a letter of support for Assembly Bill (AB) 2220 (Muratsuchi) Homeless Courts Pilot Program; and (2) provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND
Current law governs the jurisdiction of various criminal actions and criminal proceedings. Current law also provides various diversion programs, including programs for defendants with cognitive disabilities and programs for defendants who were, or currently are, members of the United States military.
AB 2220 would create the Homeless Courts Pilot Program, which would remain in effect until January 1, 2027, to be administered by the Judicial Council for the purpose of providing comprehensive community-based services to achieve stabilization for, and address the specific legal needs of, chronically homeless individuals who are involved with the criminal justice system. The bill would require programs seeking grant funds to provide a number of specified services or program components, including, but not limited to, a diversion program enabling participating defendants to have infractions, misdemeanor, or felony charges dismissed upon completion of a program, provision of supportive housing, as defined, during the duration of the program, and a dedicated county representative to assist defendants with housing needs.
According to Assemblymember Muratsuchi, “For the community, AB 2220 engages people in a gainful process, removing homeless people from doorways, parks, and gathering places. These people can then rebuild their lives by addressing the legal issues that often create barriers to accessing housing, employment, public assistance, and treatment programs.”
At the May 9, 2022 City Council Meeting, the City Council achieved consensus to discuss adding an agenda item to consider approving a letter of support.
DISCUSSION
The City Council is requested to consider directing staff to submit a letter of support for AB 2220. Staff would work with the Mayor to communicate the City’s position to state and county legislators, the bill author, and committees, through correspondence, phone calls, public testimony, and in-person meetings as necessary. If legislative amendments are made to AB 2220, City staff would use its best judgment in transmitting the City’s position letter, based on the City Council’s adopted position.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact for the City Council to submit a letter of support for AB 2220.
ATTACHMENTS
2022-05-23__ATT___AB_2220_Amended on 2022-04-18
2022-05-23__ATT___AB_2220_Draft Letter of Support
RECOMMENDED MOTIONS
That the City Council:
1. Approve a Letter of Support for AB 2220 (Muratsuchi) Homeless Courts Pilot Program; and
2. Provide other direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.