California Gov. Newsom expands mental health CARE Court system with new legislation
California Gov. Newsom expands mental health CARE Court system with new legislation
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 27, a significant step in expanding the state’s Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court system. This program is designed to connect individuals with severe mental illness to treatment and housing, aiming to intervene before they end up homeless or incarcerated.
The new legislation, authored by Senator Thomas Umberg, introduces several key changes to enhance the effectiveness of the CARE Court system. These include expanding eligibility criteria, improving coordination between courts, and accelerating intervention by county health agencies and judicial systems.
"California doesn’t sit on the sidelines while people fall through the cracks", said Newsom. "We don’t stand by while people spiral on our sidewalks or cycle through emergency rooms and jail cells - we step up. We built CARE Court to connect people to treatment, dignity, and accountability - because care and accountability belong at the center of how we serve our communities."
Broader Access to Treatment
Under SB 27, the CARE Court system will now include individuals diagnosed with bipolar I disorder with psychotic features, broadening the scope of those eligible for support. Additionally, the legislation requires judges to consider CARE as a primary option for misdemeanor defendants dealing with serious mental illnesses, offering them a structured path out of the criminal justice system and into care.
Senator Umberg emphasized the importance of this approach, saying, "SB 27 is critical for the effective expansion and implementation of CARE Court in California. With this legislation, more Californians will finally receive the assistance they need to reintegrate into society fully. SB 27 provides a balanced and compassionate path forward - far preferable to the extremes we’ve seen elsewhere, whether it’s sweeping executive orders on civil commitments or doing nothing at all and allowing people to die on our streets."
A Shift in California’s Mental Health Strategy
The CARE Act, first launched in 2023, marked a transformative approach to addressing severe mental health issues in California. The program introduces court-supervised pathways to behavioral health care, aiming to address the state’s ongoing challenges with homelessness and mental health. Governor Newsom has linked these efforts to reversing decades of decline in the state’s mental health system, which he attributes to policies enacted during former Governor Ronald Reagan’s tenure.
"SB 27 provides a balanced and compassionate path forward", said Umberg. "The beauty of CARE Court is that it holds both institutions and individuals accountable, ensures individuals get the care they need and gives judges a clear role in overseeing and guiding the process. This bill focuses on implementation by listening to and learning from counties about what’s working and what’s not, to meet the goals of the original CARE Court legislation."
Governor Newsom sees this expansion as part of his larger strategy to address California’s intertwined mental health and homelessness crises. He remains committed to ensuring that care and accountability are central pillars in how communities are served across the state.
Conclusion
The signing of Senate Bill 27 marks another milestone in California’s efforts to combat untreated severe mental illness and its broader societal impacts. By expanding the CARE Court system, the state seeks to provide earlier and more effective interventions, helping individuals find stability and support while holding institutions and individuals accountable for positive outcomes. As California moves forward, the focus remains on learning from early implementation and refining the program to better meet the needs of its residents.