Resolution supporting California State Assembly Bill No. 1897, introduced by Assembly Member Matt Haney, which clarifies legal standards governing continued treatment for offenders with severe mental illness and strengthens evidence-based evaluation requirements.

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors is considering a resolution to support California State Assembly Bill No. 1897 (AB 1897), introduced by Assembly Member Matt Haney. This bill aims to clarify legal standards for the continued treatment of offenders with severe mental illness after their release from incarceration.

Key aspects of AB 1897 include:

• Clarifying Commitment Criteria: The bill refines the conditions under which individuals with severe mental health disorders can be committed for continued treatment, requiring that mental health professionals opine the prisoner represents a threat of physical harm to others, rather than a "substantial danger."
• Mandatory Risk Assessment: It mandates the use of the Historical Clinical Risk Management-20, Version 3 (HCR-20 v3) assessment tool as part of the evaluation process for these individuals.
• Strengthening Evidence-Based Evaluation: By standardizing assessment methodology and clarifying statutory language, the bill intends to support more consistent decision-making, enhance due process, and improve outcomes for both public safety and individuals receiving treatment.

The resolution, sponsored by Supervisors Mandelman and Sauter, expresses the Board's support for AB 1897 as an evidence-based improvement to state law, encouraging its timely adoption to enhance public safety and ensure adequate treatment for individuals with severe mental illness. The Clerk of the Board will notify the Governor and legislative leaders of San Francisco's support.