District attorney praises signing of mental health diversion law
San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow.
– San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow is praising the signing of Assembly Bill 46, which changes California’s mental health diversion law by restoring judges’ discretion to deny diversion when an offender poses what the law defines as a substantial and undue risk to the physical safety of others.
The measure, authored by Assemblywoman Stephanie Nguyen, takes effect Jan. 1.
“Assemblywoman Stephanie Nguyen deserves tremendous credit for authoring and advancing AB 46,” Dow said. “Her leadership on this issue will help protect Californians from dangerous offenders who should not be released into the community through an overly permissive diversion system.”
Dow also thanked Gov. Gavin Newsom for signing the bill into law.
“This is a significant and welcome public safety reform,” Dow said.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, the law allows judges to consider whether a defendant poses a danger to others and whether the individual is suitable for treatment before granting mental health diversion.
The office said the changes are intended to address gaps in the current diversion law while preserving treatment options for defendants who can safely and appropriately benefit from diversion.
