On March 26, Senator Angelique V. Ashby (D-Sacramento) introduced Senate Bill 319, the Public Safety Transparency Act, to ensure the effective implementation of Proposition 36. The Steinberg Institute is sponsoring SB 319 and has identified it as one of our 2025 legislative priorities, aligning with our Vision 2030 goals of improving behavioral health outcomes and reducing criminal justice involvement for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders.
How SB 319 will strengthen California’s behavioral health and public safety systems
Proposition 36, passed by voters in 2024, reclassified certain misdemeanors as felonies and mandated courts to develop treatment programs for individuals convicted under a new “treatment-mandated felony” designation. However, the proposition did not include funding or a framework to ensure these programs are effectively implemented. SB 319 addresses this gap by requiring data collection and reporting to provide accountability, transparency, and informed decision-making.
Key provisions of SB 319 include requiring the Superior Courts or the Department of Justice to track and report essential data, including:
- Expenses associated with operating mandated felony treatment programs;
- Number of individuals referred to and enrolled in treatment programs;
- Measurable outcomes such as recidivism rates, substance use disorder improvements, and program completion rates;
- Funding sources and spending data to ensure that state and local governments are leveraging all available financial resources.
California faces a growing behavioral health crisis within its criminal justice system. Currently, over half of county jail inmates and 35% of the state prison population have mental health conditions. Proposition 36 is expected to increase these numbers, making it essential to track and evaluate whether treatment programs are successfully reducing recidivism and improving outcomes.
By implementing a clear oversight structure, SB 319 ensures that state and local governments allocate resources efficiently and that individuals eligible for diversion programs receive the treatment they need. Without transparency, there is a risk of increased incarceration without meaningful rehabilitation, ultimately undermining the intent of Proposition 36.
The Steinberg Institute is committed to advancing policies that strengthen California’s behavioral health system, and SB 319 is a critical step in ensuring that Proposition 36 delivers on its promise to improve public safety through treatment. We urge lawmakers to support this bill and uphold the voters’ mandate for a more effective and accountable behavioral health system.