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AB 2217

Criminal procedure: alternatives to arrest.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Nick Schultz and 1 co-sponsor

AB 2217 expands LEAD to an Alternatives to Arrest program, funding cross-jurisdiction case management and services to divert at-risk individuals from arrest.

Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
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Bill Summary · AB 2217

Summary of AB 2217 (2025-2026) – Criminal procedure: alternatives to arrest

Purpose and intent

AB 2217, introduced by Assembly Members Zbur and Schultz, would rename and expand California’s LEAD program into an broader “Alternatives to Arrest (ATA)” pilot program. The bill aims to reduce unnecessary arrests, promote public safety, reduce recidivism, and connect participants with social and health services. It shifts focus from traditional booking to voluntary participation in case-managed services, with oversight and evaluation requirements.

Key provisions and changes

  • Renaming and scope

    • Repeals the existing LEAD pilot program heading and creates the “Alternatives to Arrest (ATA) pilot program.”
    • Expands grantmaking beyond up to three jurisdictions to include the City and County of Los Angeles (via the public health agency administering qualifying programs) and up to three additional jurisdictions identified by the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC).

  • Eligibility and referrals to services

    • Maintains two pathways to services:
    • Prebooking referrals (immediate diversion before arrest) and
    • Social contact referrals (referrals based on perceived high risk of future arrests).
    • Removes the previous requirement that social contact referrals must show prior low-level drug/prostitution activity and have no pending drug or mental health court case. Under AB 2217, officers may refer individuals if the person would benefit from case management services and is at high risk of future arrest.
    • Expands eligible offenses for referrals to include certain disorderly conduct crimes, shoplifting/petty theft, and other local offenses identified with police chief/sheriff and health agency agreement.

  • Program administration and standards

    • BSCC administers ATA (replacing LEAD) and awards grants to Los Angeles’ public health agency and to up to three additional jurisdictions, following established minimum standards and funding schedules.
    • Grant requirements include demonstrating program purpose, partnerships across law enforcement, public health, prosecutors, defense, and social services, and capacity to coordinate cross-system decision-making.
    • Grantees must collect and maintain data on program effectiveness.

  • Services funded (use of grant dollars)

    • Services include case management, housing, medical and mental health care, substance use treatment, employment services, civil legal services, and system navigation.
    • Funds may support project management, outreach, housing, civil legal services, dedicated prosecutorial and law enforcement resources, and training/technical assistance from experts (including other jurisdictions).
    • Data collection and program evaluation are required; contract with a nonprofit or university for evaluation is contemplated, with potential cost-benefit analyses comparing ATA to traditional booking/prosecution.

  • Funding and reporting

    • The bill repeals the prior $15 million General Fund appropriation and related evaluation/technical assistance limitations, replacing them with discretionary appropriations to eligible ATA entities once the Legislature provides funds.
    • A mandatory evaluation report to the Legislature is due by January 1, 2031.

  • Local commitment

    • Local jurisdictions receiving funds must commit to four years of ATA or LEAD services after grant receipt.

Who is affected

  • Law enforcement agencies implementing prebooking or social contact referrals.
  • Public health or behavioral health agencies administering ATA in Los Angeles and other identified jurisdictions.
  • Individuals referred to ATA services (including a broader set of offenses) who would participate voluntarily.
  • Local governments and BSCC through grantmaking, program standards, data collection, and reporting requirements.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • AB 2217 would rename LEAD and shift program administration to BSCC with additional Los Angeles-area involvement.
  • Funding would be provided "upon appropriation by the Legislature," with a required four-year commitment by jurisdictions receiving funds.
  • A comprehensive effectiveness report is required by January 1, 2031.

Note: The bill has a standard legislative-path progression (assigned to committees, hearings, and potential approvals) with an action history showing committee referrals and amendments.

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

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