AB 2977

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Existing law establishes the Board of State and Community Corrections to provide statewide leadership, coordination, and technical assistance to promote effective state and local efforts and partnerships in California's adult and juvenile criminal justice system. This bill would require the board to develop and implement a program of training on the subject of implicit bias. The bill would require the board to convene a working group, as specified, to develop the 3-hour long course on implicit bias, as described, and would require all state and local correctional officers, parole officers, and probation officers, as specified, to take the course by no later than January 1, 2024. This bill would also require the working group to develop a 3-hour long continuing training and refresher course and would require that course to be taken every 3 years. This bill would require the working group to regularly update the courses as necessary, to monitor and evaluate the program on an ongoing basis, and to ensure compliance. The bill would also require the working group to approve all presenters of the course. This bill would require the Department of Justice to nominate and vet applicants for appointment to the working group and for filling subsequent vacancies. This bill would also require the board, by no later than January 1, 2024, and every 3 years thereafter, to submit a report to the Legislature, as specified. By requiring new training for local probation officers and correctional officers, 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, 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.