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Measure AB 46
Authors Nguyen  
Principle Coauthors: Hurtado  
Coauthors: Krell   Petrie-Norris   Michelle Rodriguez   Blanca Rubio   Ashby  
Subject Diversion.
Relating To relating to diversion.
Title An act to amend Section 1001.36 of the Penal Code, relating to diversion.
Last Action Dt 2025-07-10
State Amended Senate
Status In Committee Process
Active? Y
Vote Required Majority
Appropriation No
Fiscal Committee Yes
Local Program No
Substantive Changes None
Urgency No
Tax Levy No
Leginfo Link Bill
Actions
2025-08-18     In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
2025-08-13     In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
2025-07-10     Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-07-09     From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 4. Noes 0.) (July 8).
2025-06-19     In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
2025-05-28     Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2025-05-20     In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2025-05-19     Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 56. Noes 7. Page 1601.)
2025-05-15     Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-05-14     From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 13. Noes 1.) (May 14).
2025-05-06     Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-05-05     Read second time and amended.
2025-05-01     From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (April 29).
2025-03-11     Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2025-03-10     From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. Read second time and amended.
2025-03-10     Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2024-12-10     Introduced measure version corrected.
2024-12-03     From printer. May be heard in committee January 2.
2024-12-02     Read first time. To print.
Keywords
Tags
Versions
Amended Senate     2025-07-10
Amended Assembly     2025-05-05
Amended Assembly     2025-03-10
Introduced     2024-12-02
Last Version Text
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		<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Assembly Member Nguyen</ns0:AuthorText>
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		<ns0:Title>An act to amend Section 1001.36 of the Penal Code, relating to diversion.</ns0:Title>
		<ns0:RelatingClause>diversion</ns0:RelatingClause>
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			<ns0:Subject>Diversion.</ns0:Subject>
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			<html:p>Existing law authorizes a court to grant pretrial diversion to a defendant suffering from a mental disorder, on an accusatory pleading alleging the commission of a misdemeanor or felony offense, in order to allow the defendant to undergo mental health treatment. Existing law provides that a defendant is eligible for diversion if they have been diagnosed with certain mental disorders and the court finds that the mental disorder was a significant factor in the commission of the charged offense, unless there is clear and convincing evidence that the disorder was not a motivating, causal, or contributing factor to the defendant’s involvement in the alleged offense. Existing law prohibits defendants charged with specified offenses, including murder, from being placed in this diversion program.</html:p>
			<html:p>This bill would, if the defendant has been diagnosed
			 with a mental disorder within 5 years of the current offense, as specified, require the court to find that the defendant’s mental disorder was a significant factor in the commission of the offense, unless there is a preponderance of evidence that it was not a motivating, causal, or contributing factor to the defendant’s involvement in the alleged offense.</html:p>
			<html:p>Existing law makes a defendant eligible for this diversion program if, among other criteria, the defendant will not pose an unreasonable risk of danger to public safety if treated in the community, as
			 specified.</html:p>
			<html:p>The bill would specify that a court retains discretion to deny diversion, even if a defendant is otherwise suitable for diversion, upon a finding that it is more likely than not that the defendant will pose an unreasonable risk to the physical safety of another person. The bill would require the court to state the reasons for denial on the record.</html:p>
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		<ns0:Preamble>The people of the State of California do enact as follows:</ns0:Preamble>
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			<ns0:Num>SECTION 1.</ns0:Num>
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				Section 1001.36 of the 
				<ns0:DocName>Penal Code</ns0:DocName>
				 is amended to read:
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					<ns0:Num>1001.36.</ns0:Num>
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								(a)
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								On an accusatory pleading alleging the commission of a misdemeanor or felony offense not set forth in subdivision (d), the court may, in its discretion, and after considering the positions of the defense and prosecution, grant pretrial diversion to a defendant pursuant to this section if the defendant satisfies the eligibility requirements for pretrial diversion set forth in subdivision (b) and the court determines that the defendant is suitable for that diversion under the factors set forth in subdivision (c). Diversion pursuant to this section is discretionary in all cases.
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								(b)
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								A defendant is eligible for pretrial diversion pursuant to this section if both of the following
						criteria are met:
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								(1)
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								The defendant has been diagnosed with a mental disorder as identified in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, including, but not limited to, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder, but excluding antisocial personality disorder and pedophilia. Evidence of the defendant’s mental disorder shall be provided by the defense and shall include a diagnosis or treatment for a diagnosed mental disorder within the last five years by a qualified mental health expert. In opining that a defendant suffers from a qualifying disorder, the qualified mental health expert may rely on an examination of the defendant, the defendant’s medical records, arrest reports, or any other relevant evidence.
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							<html:p>
								(2)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								The defendant’s mental disorder was a significant factor in the commission of the charged offense. If the defendant has been diagnosed with a mental disorder within five years of the current offense, based on the evidence offered in paragraph (1), the court shall find that the defendant’s mental disorder was a significant factor in the commission of the offense unless there is a preponderance of evidence that it was not a motivating factor, causal factor, or contributing factor to the defendant’s involvement in the
						alleged offense. A court may consider any relevant and credible evidence, including, but not limited to, police reports, preliminary hearing transcripts, witness statements, statements by the defendant’s mental health treatment provider, medical records, records or reports by qualified medical experts, or evidence that the defendant displayed symptoms consistent with the relevant mental disorder at or near the time of the offense.
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								(c)
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								(1)
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								For any defendant who satisfies the eligibility requirements in subdivision (b), the court shall consider whether the defendant is suitable for pretrial diversion. A defendant is suitable for pretrial diversion if all of the following criteria are met:
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(A)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								In the opinion of a qualified mental health expert, the defendant’s symptoms of the mental disorder causing, contributing to, or motivating the criminal behavior would respond to mental health treatment.
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							<html:p>
								(B)
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								The defendant consents to diversion and waives the defendant’s right to a speedy trial, or a defendant has been found to be an appropriate candidate for diversion in lieu of commitment pursuant to clause (iii) of subparagraph
						(B) of, or clause (v) of subparagraph (C) of, paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 1370 or subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 1370.01 and, as a result of the defendant’s mental incompetence, cannot consent to diversion or give a knowing and intelligent waiver of the defendant’s right to a speedy trial.
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								(C)
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								The defendant agrees to comply with treatment as a condition of diversion, or the defendant has been found to be an appropriate candidate for diversion in lieu of commitment for restoration of competency treatment pursuant to clause (iii) of subparagraph (B) of,
						or clause (v) of subparagraph (C) of, paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 1370 or subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 1370.01 and, as a result of the defendant’s mental incompetence, cannot agree to comply with treatment.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(D)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								The defendant will not
						pose an unreasonable risk of danger to public safety, as defined in Section 1170.18, if treated in the community. The court may consider any factors that the court deems appropriate in making this determination, including, but not limited to, the opinions of the district attorney, the defense, or a qualified mental health expert, and may consider the defendant’s treatment plan, the defendant’s violence and criminal history, and the current charged offense. The court shall consider the victim’s rights under subdivision (b) or Section 28 of Article I of the California Constitution.
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								(2)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Even if a defendant is otherwise suitable for diversion, a court retains discretion to deny diversion upon a finding that it is more likely than not that the defendant, if treated in
						the community, will pose an unreasonable risk to the physical safety of another person.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(3)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								If the court denies diversion under this section, the court shall orally state the reasons on the record.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(d)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								A defendant may not be placed into a diversion program, pursuant to this section, for the following current charged offenses:
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(1)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Murder or voluntary manslaughter.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(2)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								An offense for which a person, if convicted, would be required to register pursuant to Section 290, except for a violation of Section 314.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(3)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Rape.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(4)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Lewd or
						lascivious act on a child under 14 years of age.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(5)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Assault with intent to commit rape, sodomy, or oral copulation, in violation of Section 220.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(6)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Commission of rape or sexual penetration in concert with another person, in violation of Section 264.1.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(7)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Continuous sexual abuse of a child, in violation of Section 288.5.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(8)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								A violation of subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 11418.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(e)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								At any stage of the proceedings, the court may require the defendant to make a prima facie showing that the defendant will meet the minimum requirements of eligibility for diversion and that the defendant and the offense
						are suitable for diversion. The hearing on the prima facie showing shall be informal and may proceed on offers of proof, reliable hearsay, and argument of counsel. If a prima facie showing is not made, the court may summarily deny the request for diversion or grant any other relief as may be deemed appropriate.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(f)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								As used in this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(1)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								“Pretrial diversion” means the postponement of prosecution, either temporarily or permanently, at any point in the judicial process from the point at which the accused is charged until adjudication, to allow the defendant to undergo mental health treatment, subject to all of the following:
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(A)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								(i)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								The
						court is satisfied that the recommended inpatient or outpatient program of mental health treatment will meet the specialized mental health treatment needs of the defendant.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(ii)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								The defendant may be referred to a program of mental health treatment utilizing existing inpatient or outpatient mental health resources. Before approving a proposed treatment program, the court shall consider the request of the defense, the request of the prosecution, the needs of the defendant, and the interests of the community. The treatment may be procured using private or public funds, and a referral may be made to a county mental health agency, existing collaborative courts, or assisted outpatient treatment only if that entity has agreed to accept responsibility for the treatment of the defendant, and mental health services are provided only to the extent
						that resources are available and the defendant is eligible for those services.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(iii)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								If the court refers the defendant to a county mental health agency pursuant to this section and the agency determines that it is unable to provide services to the defendant, the court shall accept a written declaration to that effect from the agency in lieu of requiring live testimony. That declaration shall serve only to establish that the program is unable to provide services to the defendant at that time and does not constitute evidence that the defendant is unqualified or unsuitable for diversion under this section.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(B)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								The provider of the mental health treatment program in which the defendant has been placed shall provide regular reports to the court, the defense, and the prosecutor on the
						defendant’s progress in treatment.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(C)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								The period during which criminal proceedings against the defendant may be diverted is limited as follows:
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(i)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								If the defendant is charged with a felony, the period shall be no longer than two years.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(ii)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								If the defendant is charged with a misdemeanor, the period shall be no longer than one year.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(D)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Upon request, the court shall conduct a hearing to determine whether restitution, as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 1202.4, is owed to any victim as a result of the diverted offense and, if owed, order its payment during the period of diversion. However, a defendant’s inability to pay restitution due to indigence or
						mental disorder 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>
								(2)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								“Qualified mental health expert” includes, but is not limited to, a psychiatrist, psychologist, a person described in Section 5751.2 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or a person whose knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education qualifies them as an expert.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(g)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								If any of the following circumstances exists, the court shall, after notice to the defendant, defense counsel, and the prosecution, hold a hearing to determine whether the criminal proceedings should be reinstated, whether the treatment should be modified, or whether the defendant should be conserved and referred to the conservatorship investigator of the
						county of commitment to initiate conservatorship proceedings for the defendant pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 5350) of Part 1 of Division 5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code:
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(1)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								The defendant is charged with an additional misdemeanor allegedly committed during the pretrial diversion and that reflects the defendant’s propensity for violence.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(2)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								The defendant is charged with an additional felony allegedly committed during the pretrial diversion.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(3)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								The defendant is engaged in criminal conduct rendering the defendant unsuitable for diversion.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(4)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								Based on the opinion of a qualified mental health expert whom the court may deem appropriate, either
						of the following circumstances exists:
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(A)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								The defendant is performing unsatisfactorily in the assigned program.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(B)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								The defendant is gravely disabled, as defined in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (h) of Section 5008 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. A defendant shall only be conserved and referred to the conservatorship investigator pursuant to this finding.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(h)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								If the defendant has performed satisfactorily in diversion, at the end of the period of diversion, the court shall dismiss the defendant’s criminal charges that were the subject of the criminal proceedings at the time of the initial diversion. A court may conclude that the defendant has performed satisfactorily if the defendant
						has substantially complied with the requirements of diversion, has avoided significant new violations of law unrelated to the defendant’s mental health condition, and has a plan in place for long-term mental health care. If the court dismisses the charges, the clerk of the court shall file a record with the Department of Justice indicating the disposition of the case diverted pursuant to this section. 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, except as specified in subdivisions (j) and (k). The defendant who successfully completes diversion may indicate in response to any question concerning the defendant’s prior criminal record that the defendant was not arrested or diverted for
						the offense, except as specified in subdivision (j).
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(i)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								A record pertaining to an arrest resulting in successful completion of diversion, or any record generated as a result of the defendant’s application for or participation in diversion, shall not, without the defendant’s consent, be used in any way that could result in the denial of any employment, benefit, license, or certificate.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(j)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								The defendant shall be advised that, regardless of the defendant’s completion of diversion, both of the following apply:
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(1)
								<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
								The arrest upon which the diversion was based may be disclosed by the Department of Justice to any peace officer application request and that, notwithstanding subdivision (i), this section does not relieve the defendant
						of the obligation to disclose the arrest in response to any direct question contained in any questionnaire or application for a position as a peace officer, as defined in Section 830.
							</html:p>
							<html:p>
								(2)
								<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>
							<html:p>
								(k)
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								A finding that the defendant suffers from a mental disorder, any progress reports concerning the defendant’s treatment, including, but not limited to, any finding that the defendant be prohibited from owning or controlling a firearm because they are a danger to themselves or others pursuant to subdivision (m), or any other records related to a mental
						disorder that were created as a result of participation in, or completion of, diversion pursuant to this section or for use at a hearing on the defendant’s eligibility for diversion under this section may 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. However, when determining whether to exercise its discretion to grant diversion under this section, a court may consider previous records of participation in diversion under this section.
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								(
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								)
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								The county agency administering the diversion, the defendant’s mental health treatment providers, the public guardian or conservator, and the court shall, to the extent not prohibited by federal
						law, have access to the defendant’s medical and psychological records, including progress reports, during the defendant’s time in diversion, as needed, for the purpose of providing care and treatment and monitoring treatment for diversion or conservatorship.
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								(m)
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								(1)
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								The prosecution may request an order from the court that the defendant be prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm until they successfully complete diversion because they are a danger to themselves or others pursuant to subdivision (i) of Section 8103 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
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								(2)
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								The prosecution shall bear the burden of proving, by clear and convincing evidence, both of the following are true:
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								(A)
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								The defendant poses a
						significant danger of causing personal injury to themselves or another by having in their custody or control, owning, purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm.
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								(B)
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								The prohibition is necessary to prevent personal injury to the defendant or any other person because less restrictive alternatives either have been tried and found to be ineffective or are inadequate or inappropriate for the circumstances of the defendant.
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								(3)
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								(A)
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								If the court finds that the prosecution has not met that burden, the court shall not order that the person is prohibited from having, owning, purchasing, possessing, or receiving a firearm.
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								(B)
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								If the court finds that the prosecution has met the burden, the court shall order
						that the person is prohibited, and shall inform the person that they are prohibited, from owning or controlling a firearm until they successfully complete diversion because they are a danger to themselves or others.
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								(4)
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								An order imposed pursuant to this subdivision shall be in effect until the defendant has successfully completed diversion or until their firearm rights are restored pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (g) of Section 8103 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
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Last Version Text Digest Existing law authorizes a court to grant pretrial diversion to a defendant suffering from a mental disorder, on an accusatory pleading alleging the commission of a misdemeanor or felony offense, in order to allow the defendant to undergo mental health treatment. Existing law provides that a defendant is eligible for diversion if they have been diagnosed with certain mental disorders and the court finds that the mental disorder was a significant factor in the commission of the charged offense, unless there is clear and convincing evidence that the disorder was not a motivating, causal, or contributing factor to the defendant’s involvement in the alleged offense. Existing law prohibits defendants charged with specified offenses, including murder, from being placed in this diversion program. This bill would, if the defendant has been diagnosed with a mental disorder within 5 years of the current offense, as specified, require the court to find that the defendant’s mental disorder was a significant factor in the commission of the offense, unless there is a preponderance of evidence that it was not a motivating, causal, or contributing factor to the defendant’s involvement in the alleged offense. Existing law makes a defendant eligible for this diversion program if, among other criteria, the defendant will not pose an unreasonable risk of danger to public safety if treated in the community, as specified. The bill would specify that a court retains discretion to deny diversion, even if a defendant is otherwise suitable for diversion, upon a finding that it is more likely than not that the defendant will pose an unreasonable risk to the physical safety of another person. The bill would require the court to state the reasons for denial on the record.