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		<ns0:Id>20250AB__123193AMD</ns0:Id>
		<ns0:VersionNum>93</ns0:VersionNum>
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				<ns0:ActionText>INTRODUCED</ns0:ActionText>
				<ns0:ActionDate>2025-02-21</ns0:ActionDate>
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				<ns0:ActionDate>2025-09-05</ns0:ActionDate>
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		<ns0:LegislativeInfo>
			<ns0:SessionYear>2025</ns0:SessionYear>
			<ns0:SessionNum>0</ns0:SessionNum>
			<ns0:MeasureType>AB</ns0:MeasureType>
			<ns0:MeasureNum>1231</ns0:MeasureNum>
			<ns0:MeasureState>AMD</ns0:MeasureState>
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		<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Assembly Member Elhawary</ns0:AuthorText>
		<ns0:AuthorText authorType="PRINCIPAL_COAUTHOR_ORIGINATING">(Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Lowenthal)</ns0:AuthorText>
		<ns0:AuthorText authorType="COAUTHOR_ORIGINATING">(Coauthor: Assembly Member McKinnor)</ns0:AuthorText>
		<ns0:AuthorText authorType="COAUTHOR_OPPOSITE">(Coauthor: Senator Smallwood-Cuevas)</ns0:AuthorText>
		<ns0:Authors>
			<ns0:Legislator>
				<ns0:Contribution>LEAD_AUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
				<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
				<ns0:Name>Elhawary</ns0:Name>
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			<ns0:Legislator>
				<ns0:Contribution>PRINCIPAL_COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
				<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
				<ns0:Name>Lowenthal</ns0:Name>
			</ns0:Legislator>
			<ns0:Legislator>
				<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
				<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
				<ns0:Name>McKinnor</ns0:Name>
			</ns0:Legislator>
			<ns0:Legislator>
				<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
				<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
				<ns0:Name>Smallwood-Cuevas</ns0:Name>
			</ns0:Legislator>
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		<ns0:Title>An act to add Chapter 2.97 (commencing with Section 1001.98) to Title 6 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, relating to criminal procedure. </ns0:Title>
		<ns0:RelatingClause>criminal procedure</ns0:RelatingClause>
		<ns0:GeneralSubject>
			<ns0:Subject>Criminal procedure: Safer Communities Through Opportunities Act.</ns0:Subject>
		</ns0:GeneralSubject>
		<ns0:DigestText>
			<html:p>Existing law authorizes a judge in the superior court in which a misdemeanor is being prosecuted to offer misdemeanor diversion to a defendant. Existing law, upon successful completion of the terms, conditions, or programs ordered by the court, makes the arrest upon which the diversion was imposed deemed to have never occurred, except as specified relating to application to be a peace officer.</html:p>
			<html:p>This bill, the Safer Communities Through Opportunities Act, would authorize a court to exercise its discretion to grant pretrial diversion on a felony offense, subject to certain exceptions. The bill would authorize the court to consider information from, among others, the prosecutor and the
			 defense in determining whether or not to grant diversion and would prohibit a court from granting diversion unless it finds that the diversion plan mitigates any unreasonable risk of danger to public safety and that the defendant is likely to benefit from the services provided in the diversion plan. The bill would authorize a court to consider reinstating criminal proceedings in certain circumstances, such as the commission of a misdemeanor committed while the defendant is receiving pretrial diversion services that shows a propensity for violence, among others. The bill would require the court to dismiss the criminal allegations if it finds that the defendant has complied with the terms and conditions during the diversion period. The bill would require the court, if the court reduces the felony to a misdemeanor, to follow existing misdemeanor diversion proceedings.</html:p>
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		<ns0:DigestKey>
			<ns0:VoteRequired>MAJORITY</ns0:VoteRequired>
			<ns0:Appropriation>NO</ns0:Appropriation>
			<ns0:FiscalCommittee>YES</ns0:FiscalCommittee>
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	<ns0:Bill id="bill">
		<ns0:Preamble>The people of the State of California do enact as follows:</ns0:Preamble>
		<ns0:BillSection id="id_B90AAD46-DBCA-443A-B998-295D573BA2D0">
			<ns0:Num>SECTION 1.</ns0:Num>
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				Chapter 2.97 (commencing with Section 1001.98) is added to Title 6 of Part 2 of the 
				<ns0:DocName>Penal Code</ns0:DocName>
				, to read:
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			<ns0:Fragment>
				<ns0:LawHeading id="id_2A225E18-F5B9-4D45-8C4F-D2301560C563" type="CHAPTER">
					<ns0:Num>2.97.</ns0:Num>
					<ns0:LawHeadingVersion id="id_13DF639A-E7FA-4372-8124-1E43F87643B4">
						<ns0:LawHeadingText>Safer Communities Through Opportunities Act</ns0:LawHeadingText>
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					<ns0:LawSection id="id_20AE50AE-B72C-45BC-88D5-F53B583EEEA9">
						<ns0:Num>1001.98.</ns0:Num>
						<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_43FFC137-BF49-48DF-95B4-C19B88848E97">
							<ns0:Content>
								<html:p>
									(a)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									On an accusatory pleading alleging the commission of a felony offense described in subdivision (b), a defendant may move the court for diversion pursuant to this section at any time prior to the start of a trial. The court may, in its discretion, grant pretrial diversion to a defendant pursuant to this section if the court determines that the defendant is suitable for that diversion under the factors set forth in subdivision (c). 
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(b)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									(1)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									Except as provided in paragraph (2), this chapter applies to any felony offense punishable as follows:
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(A)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									Pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section
						  1170.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(B)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									As a misdemeanor or by imprisonment in the state prison for 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years. Offenses that are a serious felony, as described in subdivision (c) of Section 1192.7, or a violent felony, as described in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5, are ineligible for diversion.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(2)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									This chapter does not apply to any of the following:
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(A)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									An offense alleged to have caused great bodily injury or serious bodily injury.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(B)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									An offense alleged to have involved the personal use of a firearm in the commission of an offense, pursuant to Section
						  12022.5 or 12022.53.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(C)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									An offense punishable pursuant to Section 23550 of the Vehicle Code.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(D)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									An offense for which a person, if convicted, would be required to register pursuant to Section 290.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(E)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									An offense involving domestic violence, as defined in Section 6211 of the Family Code, or subdivision (b) of Section 13700 of this code.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(F)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									A violation of Section 646.9.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(G)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									A violation of subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 11418.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(c)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									(1)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									In determining whether to grant diversion, the court may consider
						  information provided by entities, including, but not limited to, the defense, the prosecution, probation or pretrial services, victims, family or close contacts of the defendant, and service providers. In determining whether diversion is appropriate, applicable considerations may include the factors described in Section 1016.7 and Rules 4.421 and 4.423 of the California Rules of Court. The court may also consider the defendant’s age and health conditions. A
						  history of having survived human trafficking, domestic violence, or sexual assault shall be given great weight as mitigating factors that indicate diversion is appropriate. The court shall consider the following as aggravating factors that indicate diversion is inappropriate:
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(A)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									Whether the manner of the offense or prior offenses indicates planning, sophistication, or professionalism.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(B)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									The defendant induced others to participate in the commission of the offense or occupied a position of leadership or dominance of other participants in the commission of the
						  offense.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(2)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									A defendant’s request for diversion pursuant to subdivision (a) may proceed on offers of proof, reliable hearsay, and arguments of counsel and shall proceed prior to any trial or plea of guilty or no contest. If a court, in its discretion, opts to conduct a hearing on whether to grant diversion, a defendant shall submit to the court and serve on the prosecution a proposed diversion plan.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(d)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									The court shall not grant diversion unless it finds that the diversion plan mitigates any unreasonable risk of danger to public safety and finds that the defendant is likely to benefit from the services provided in the diversion plan.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(e)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									(1)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									The court may order the defendant to comply with a court-approved, individually tailored diversion plan that describes the terms, conditions, programs, or services that the court finds appropriate for the strengths and needs of the defendant and
						  interests of the community. The court may consider recommendations from entities, including, but not limited to, the defense, the prosecution, probation or pretrial services, victims, family or close contacts of the defendant, and service providers, including a social worker, behavioral worker, or health care professional.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(2)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									The programs or services ordered in the diversion plan shall be provided only to the extent that existing resources are available.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(3)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									The diversion plan shall describe the frequency of regular status reports on the defendant’s progress in the diversion plan. At a minimum, a progress report shall be provided every three months. Those reports shall be submitted to the
						  court, the defense, and the prosecution.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(4)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									If the defendant has a history of having survived human trafficking, domestic violence, or sexual assault, the diversion plan and proposal may rely on information or recommendations from a sexual assault counselor, as described in Section 1035.2 of the Evidence Code, a human trafficking caseworker, as described in Section 1038.2 of the Evidence Code, or a domestic violence counselor, as described in Section 1037.1 of the Evidence Code. The diversion plan ordered by the court shall include any conditions necessary to mitigate an unreasonable risk of danger to public safety.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(f)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									Upon a court granting diversion, any bail, bond or undertaking, or deposit in lieu thereof on behalf of the defendant shall be exonerated.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(g)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									A court may continue the criminal proceedings for a period not to exceed 24 months.
								</html:p>
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					</ns0:LawSection>
					<ns0:LawSection id="id_E6511D18-213B-468A-B283-46B08ED3352C">
						<ns0:Num>1001.981.</ns0:Num>
						<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_E230E678-B4B3-485E-9927-28C70B311D92">
							<ns0:Content>
								<html:p>
									(a)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									A defendant who is diverted pursuant to this chapter, who would otherwise be required to make full restitution if they were not diverted, shall be required to make full restitution.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(b)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									A defendant’s inability to pay restitution due to indigence shall not be grounds for denial of diversion or a finding that the defendant has failed to comply with the terms of diversion.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(c)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									In determining that dismissal is warranted upon completion of the proposed diversion plan, the court shall consider unpaid restitution in their consideration of dismissal only if nonpayment was willful and not due solely to
						  indigency or inability to pay. If diversion is completed, but the defendant has an outstanding restitution order balance, a case may be dismissed and the
						  restitution payment shall be enforceable as if the order were a civil judgment pursuant to subdivision (i) of Section 1202.4.
								</html:p>
							</ns0:Content>
						</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
					</ns0:LawSection>
					<ns0:LawSection id="id_8A60D655-E166-4EDE-90A5-F6C0F5381299">
						<ns0:Num>1001.982.</ns0:Num>
						<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_FB474B19-C39A-4DDD-A3B1-BD790B8C00A7">
							<ns0:Content>
								<html:p>
									(a)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									Any statement, information, or progress reports concerning the defendant’s diversion plan, including, but not limited to, health information, evaluations, clinical or treatment notes, or services provided, or any other records related to treatment that were provided for the purpose of facilitating, or as a result of participation in, or completion of, diversion pursuant to this chapter or for use in determining the defendant’s eligibility for diversion pursuant to this chapter shall not be used in any other proceeding without the defendant’s consent, unless that information is relevant evidence that is admissible under the standards described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Section 28 of Article I of the California
						  Constitution.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(b)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									This section applies even if diversion is denied or subsequently revoked.
								</html:p>
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						</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
					</ns0:LawSection>
					<ns0:LawSection id="id_BADE7E62-7468-4996-9A66-00CEFD2EF392">
						<ns0:Num>1001.983.</ns0:Num>
						<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_AAF3C2E9-2B30-45B0-A559-EDBEC3C3CE38">
							<ns0:Content>
								<html:p>
									(a)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									The court may modify a diversion plan if it appears, following a hearing on the matter, that the defendant is not meeting the terms and conditions of the diversion program. The court may modify the diversion plan to provide for greater supervision or additional terms, conditions, programs, or services. A hearing pursuant to this subdivision shall not be held until after notice has been given to the defendant. The hearing shall follow the evidentiary rules applicable to a probation violation
						  hearing.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(b)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									A court may hold a hearing to determine whether the criminal proceeding should be reinstated if any of the following circumstances exist:
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(1)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									The defendant is charged with a misdemeanor allegedly committed while the defendant is receiving pretrial diversion services that reflects the defendant’s propensity for violence.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(2)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									The defendant is charged with a felony allegedly committed while the defendant is receiving pretrial diversion services.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(3)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									If
						  it appears to the court that the defendant is performing unsatisfactorily in the diversion plan. Unsatisfactory performance may be indicated by repeated or significant noncompliance with the diversion plan.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(c)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									At a hearing pursuant to subdivision (b), the court shall consider whether a modified diversion plan with additional reasonably available terms, conditions, or services can address the circumstances described in subdivision (a).
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(d)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									A hearing to
						  reinstitute criminal proceedings may be initiated by the court or the prosecutor, and may proceed only after notice to the defendant.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(e)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									A hearing to reinstitute criminal proceedings pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) shall not proceed until probable cause has been established in the subsequent felony allegations.
								</html:p>
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					</ns0:LawSection>
					<ns0:LawSection id="id_F266D05D-8287-4380-A3B3-D29E5F6A1F46">
						<ns0:Num>1001.984.</ns0:Num>
						<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_9DC13BB1-1718-48A7-B36C-18F028A4855D">
							<ns0:Content>
								<html:p>
									(a)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									If the defendant has complied with the imposed terms and conditions, at the end of the period of diversion, the court shall dismiss the criminal allegations.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(b)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									Upon successful completion of diversion, if the court dismisses the charges, the arrest upon which the diversion was based shall be deemed never to have occurred, and the court shall order access to the record of the arrest restricted in accordance with Section 1001.9.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(c)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									An order to seal records pertaining to an arrest made pursuant to this section has no effect on a criminal justice agency’s ability to access and use those sealed records
						  and information regarding sealed arrests, as described in Section 851.92.
								</html:p>
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						</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
					</ns0:LawSection>
					<ns0:LawSection id="id_6A7CF2CD-7408-433A-820B-0AD6FADE1806">
						<ns0:Num>1001.985.</ns0:Num>
						<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_5260DB2D-18ED-4BD1-A27C-18BCDEB57B91">
							<ns0:Content>
								<html:p>
									(a)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									This chapter shall be implemented only to the extent that it does not conflict with an initiative statute.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(b)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									If the court has reduced a felony to a misdemeanor pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 17, the misdemeanor diversion provisions of Section 1001.95 shall be applicable.
								</html:p>
								<html:p>
									(c)
									<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
									Nothing in this chapter is intended to conflict with Marsy’s Law or a victim’s right to participate in these proceedings.
								</html:p>
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