AB 1782: Incarcerated persons: mental health evaluations.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law requires that, as a condition of parole, a prisoner who has a severe mental health disorder be treated by the State Department of State Hospitals if the prisoner meets certain requirements, including, among others, that the severe mental health disorder was one of the causes of, or was an aggravating factor in, the commission of a specified crime for which the prisoner was sentenced to prison, and that prior to release on parole, the prisoner has been evaluated, as specified, and the chief psychiatrist of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has certified that the prisoner has a severe mental health disorder, that the disorder is not in remission or cannot be kept in remission without treatment, that the severe mental health disorder was one of the causes or was an aggravating factor in the prisoner’s criminal behavior, that the prisoner has been in treatment for the severe mental health disorder for 90 days or more within the year prior to the prisoner’s parole release day, and that by reason of the prisoner’s severe mental health disorder, the prisoner represents a substantial danger of physical harm to others.

This bill would instead require the chief psychiatrist of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to certify that the prisoner meets three of the following criteria: a severe mental health disorder, the disorder is not in remission or cannot be kept in remission without treatment, the severe mental health disorder was one of the causes or was an aggravating factor in the prisoner’s criminal behavior, the prisoner has been in treatment for the severe mental health disorder for 90 days or more within the year prior to the prisoner’s parole release day, and by reason of the prisoner’s severe mental health disorder, the prisoner represents a substantial danger of physical harm to others. The bill would include sexual harassment and battery under physical harm.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. April 20, 2026From committee: Without further action pursuant to Joint Rule 62(a).
2. March 17, 2026In committee: Set, first hearing. Failed passage.
3. February 23, 2026Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
4. February 10, 2026From printer. May be heard in committee March 12.
5. February 9, 2026Read first time. To print.