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SB 989

Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jesse Arreguín and 2 co-sponsors

SB 989 lets first responders trigger CARE Court petitions via county behavioral health agencies, with a 30-business-day assessment and potential court-ordered action if ignored or

From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (June 16).
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Bill Summary · SB 989

Summary of SB 989 (2025-2026) – CARE Court Program (California)

1. Purpose and intent

  • SB 989 adds a new mechanism to initiate CARE Court processes by allowing first responders to trigger an assessment petition through the county behavioral health agency, rather than requiring direct filing by a petitioner.
  • The measure aims to expedite access to CARE Court services for adults with severe mental illness who may meet CARE criteria, by involving first responders as referral conduits and creating formal timelines for county action.

2. Key provisions and changes

New mechanism for CARE referrals

  • Section 5974.5 authorizes a first responder (as defined in existing CARE provisions) to contact the county behavioral health agency in the respondent’s county of residence to request that the agency file a petition to commence the CARE process.
  • The referral must include the respondent’s contact information and other details required by the department.

Mandatory county assessment and petition filing timeline

  • The county behavioral health agency must, within 30 business days, complete an assessment to determine if the respondent meets or is likely to meet CARE criteria.
  • If the county determines the respondent meets or is likely to meet CARE criteria and the respondent does not engage in voluntary treatment, the agency must file a petition to commence CARE (per Section 5975).
  • If the agency does not investigate within 30 business days, the requester (first responder) may seek a court order to compel investigation.

Appeals and reinvestigation

  • If the agency determines the respondent does not meet CARE criteria and does not file a petition, the requester may seek an appeal hearing to reinvestigate (court order available).

Notifications and data reporting

  • Upon completion of the review, the agency must notify the referring first responder of:
    • The outcome of the review, including whether a petition to commence CARE was filed.
    • Whether the respondent met the CARE criteria.
  • The department will develop a standard referral form for first responders and issue guidance on:
    • The procedure for requesting a petition.
    • Data reporting requirements for county agencies (e.g., total requests, outcomes, reasons for not filing, time from request to outcome, and services for those who engage voluntarily).
  • The department must include data on these requests in the annual CARE Act report (Section 5985).

Fiscal and mandate considerations

  • The bill explicitly notes that it creates a higher level of service by county agencies, constituting a state-mandated local program.
  • If the Commission on State Mandates determines costs are mandated by the state, the state will reimburse local agencies and school districts per Government Code provisions (Part 7, Division 4, Title 2).

3. Who is affected

  • County behavioral health agencies: new 30-business-day assessment and petition filing obligation following a first-responder referral; enhanced data reporting obligations; potential need for guidance and streamlined referral forms.
  • First responders: new authority and process to request CARE petitions and to receive feedback on outcomes.
  • Individuals in the CARE system: adults with severe mental illness who may meet CARE criteria and could gain earlier access to CARE services through this referral pathway.
  • The state and local governments: costs and administrative requirements tied to the mandated local program and data reporting.

4. Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Referral-to-petition timeline: up to 30 business days for the county to assess and determine whether to file a petition.
  • Court-ordered relief: available if the agency fails to investigate within 30 days, or if the agency fails to file when criteria are met.
  • Notifications: counties must inform the referring first responder of outcomes and qualification status.
  • Data and reporting: ongoing data collection on requests, outcomes, and services; integration into the annual CARE Act report.
  • Reimbursement: potential state-mandated cost reimbursements if mandated by the state (subject to Commission on State Mandates review).

Action history indicates ongoing legislative consideration in 2026, with amendments and committee referrals through April 2026.

Note: This summary reflects the measure as authored and amended through the 2025-2026 session.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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