States / California / Bills
CA SB989

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

Engrossed Senate Catherine Blakespear (D)
Plain English Summary

CA SB989 establishes the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program in California. This program aims to provide a legal framework for supporting individuals with mental health and substance use issues through court-ordered treatment and assistance. It seeks to empower these individuals by facilitating access to necessary resources and promoting their recovery.

Supporters Say

Supporters of CA SB989 argue that the CARE Court Program is a crucial step towards addressing the mental health crisis in California. They believe it will provide vulnerable individuals with the support they need to recover and reintegrate into society, ultimately leading to safer communities and reduced homelessness.

Critics Say

Critics of CA SB989 express concern that the CARE Court Program may infringe on individual rights and lead to unwanted court interventions. They worry that the program could be misused, resulting in coercive treatment rather than genuine support, and may not adequately address the root causes of mental health and substance use issues.

Legislative Votes
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
A · Jun 23, 2026
Passed
11
YEA
0
NAY
Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]
A · Jun 16, 2026
Passed
14
YEA
0
NAY
Senate 3rd Reading SB989 Blakespear et al
Senate · May 27, 2026
Passed
38
YEA
0
NAY
Do pass as amended
Senate · May 14, 2026
Passed
7
YEA
0
NAY
Placed on suspense file
Senate · May 4, 2026
Passed
7
YEA
0
NAY
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Senate · Apr 21, 2026
Passed
12
YEA
0
NAY
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]
Senate · Apr 15, 2026
Passed
9
YEA
0
NAY

Source: LegiScan roll call vote data.

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About This Analysis

This summary was generated using AI from the bill's official text and metadata. Data sourced from LegiScan and the California State Legislature. Conflict-of-interest analysis for this bill is coming soon.