| 1 | 1 | | CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 952Introduced by Assembly Member ElhawaryFebruary 20, 2025 An act to add Section 2786.5 to the Penal Code, relating to youth offenders. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 952, as introduced, Elhawary. Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program.Existing law authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to prescribe rules and adopt regulations for the administration of the prisons and administration of paroles. Existing law provides that in general, these regulations shall be adopted pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, but exempts from that requirement regulations relating to pilot programs that are legislatively authorized or mandated, as specified. Existing law requires a regulation adopted under that exemption to be repealed by operation of law, 2 years after the commencement of the pilot program being implemented unless the regulation is adopted, amended, or repealed pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act.Existing law requires the department to automatically grant a youth offender a lower security level than the level that corresponds with that individuals classification score or placement in a facility that permits increased access to programs, except as specified.Under the authority of those provisions, the department established the Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program, with the purpose of the program being to encourage youth offenders to commit to positive change and self-improvement with the goal of being law-abiding members of society upon release and to provide youth the opportunity to receive wildland firefighting training.This bill would require the secretary to make permanent the Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program, and authorize the secretary to expand the program to include some or all of California Conservation Camps.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 2786.5 is added to the Penal Code, to read:2786.5. (a) (1) The Legislature finds and declares both of the following:(A) The Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program was launched by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in August 2023 at Growlersburg Conservation Camp #33 in Georgetown as a pilot program to temporarily allow incarcerated youth between 18 and 25 years of age, who have a Level III classification score or a Violent Administrative Determinant, the ability to participate in the conservation camp program on a case-by-case basis.(B) The pilot program showed great promise, and the department expanded the pilot program to Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp #12 in August 2024.(2) It is the intent of the Legislature to make the Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program within the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation permanent.(b) (1) The Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shall make permanent the Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program, and may, at the discretion of the secretary, expand the program to include some or all of California Conservation Camps.(2) For purposes of this subdivision, California Conservation Camps has the same meaning as in Section 4952 of the Public Resources Code. |
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| 3 | 3 | | CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 952Introduced by Assembly Member ElhawaryFebruary 20, 2025 An act to add Section 2786.5 to the Penal Code, relating to youth offenders. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 952, as introduced, Elhawary. Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program.Existing law authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to prescribe rules and adopt regulations for the administration of the prisons and administration of paroles. Existing law provides that in general, these regulations shall be adopted pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, but exempts from that requirement regulations relating to pilot programs that are legislatively authorized or mandated, as specified. Existing law requires a regulation adopted under that exemption to be repealed by operation of law, 2 years after the commencement of the pilot program being implemented unless the regulation is adopted, amended, or repealed pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act.Existing law requires the department to automatically grant a youth offender a lower security level than the level that corresponds with that individuals classification score or placement in a facility that permits increased access to programs, except as specified.Under the authority of those provisions, the department established the Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program, with the purpose of the program being to encourage youth offenders to commit to positive change and self-improvement with the goal of being law-abiding members of society upon release and to provide youth the opportunity to receive wildland firefighting training.This bill would require the secretary to make permanent the Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program, and authorize the secretary to expand the program to include some or all of California Conservation Camps.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO |
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| 9 | 9 | | CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION |
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| 11 | 11 | | Assembly Bill |
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| 13 | 13 | | No. 952 |
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| 15 | 15 | | Introduced by Assembly Member ElhawaryFebruary 20, 2025 |
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| 17 | 17 | | Introduced by Assembly Member Elhawary |
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| 18 | 18 | | February 20, 2025 |
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| 20 | 20 | | An act to add Section 2786.5 to the Penal Code, relating to youth offenders. |
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| 21 | 21 | | |
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| 22 | 22 | | LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST |
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| 23 | 23 | | |
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| 24 | 24 | | ## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST |
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| 25 | 25 | | |
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| 26 | 26 | | AB 952, as introduced, Elhawary. Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program. |
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| 27 | 27 | | |
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| 28 | 28 | | Existing law authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to prescribe rules and adopt regulations for the administration of the prisons and administration of paroles. Existing law provides that in general, these regulations shall be adopted pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, but exempts from that requirement regulations relating to pilot programs that are legislatively authorized or mandated, as specified. Existing law requires a regulation adopted under that exemption to be repealed by operation of law, 2 years after the commencement of the pilot program being implemented unless the regulation is adopted, amended, or repealed pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act.Existing law requires the department to automatically grant a youth offender a lower security level than the level that corresponds with that individuals classification score or placement in a facility that permits increased access to programs, except as specified.Under the authority of those provisions, the department established the Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program, with the purpose of the program being to encourage youth offenders to commit to positive change and self-improvement with the goal of being law-abiding members of society upon release and to provide youth the opportunity to receive wildland firefighting training.This bill would require the secretary to make permanent the Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program, and authorize the secretary to expand the program to include some or all of California Conservation Camps. |
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| 30 | 30 | | Existing law authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to prescribe rules and adopt regulations for the administration of the prisons and administration of paroles. Existing law provides that in general, these regulations shall be adopted pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, but exempts from that requirement regulations relating to pilot programs that are legislatively authorized or mandated, as specified. Existing law requires a regulation adopted under that exemption to be repealed by operation of law, 2 years after the commencement of the pilot program being implemented unless the regulation is adopted, amended, or repealed pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act. |
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| 32 | 32 | | Existing law requires the department to automatically grant a youth offender a lower security level than the level that corresponds with that individuals classification score or placement in a facility that permits increased access to programs, except as specified. |
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| 33 | 33 | | |
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| 34 | 34 | | Under the authority of those provisions, the department established the Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program, with the purpose of the program being to encourage youth offenders to commit to positive change and self-improvement with the goal of being law-abiding members of society upon release and to provide youth the opportunity to receive wildland firefighting training. |
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| 35 | 35 | | |
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| 36 | 36 | | This bill would require the secretary to make permanent the Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program, and authorize the secretary to expand the program to include some or all of California Conservation Camps. |
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| 37 | 37 | | |
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| 38 | 38 | | ## Digest Key |
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| 39 | 39 | | |
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| 40 | 40 | | ## Bill Text |
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| 42 | 42 | | The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 2786.5 is added to the Penal Code, to read:2786.5. (a) (1) The Legislature finds and declares both of the following:(A) The Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program was launched by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in August 2023 at Growlersburg Conservation Camp #33 in Georgetown as a pilot program to temporarily allow incarcerated youth between 18 and 25 years of age, who have a Level III classification score or a Violent Administrative Determinant, the ability to participate in the conservation camp program on a case-by-case basis.(B) The pilot program showed great promise, and the department expanded the pilot program to Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp #12 in August 2024.(2) It is the intent of the Legislature to make the Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program within the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation permanent.(b) (1) The Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shall make permanent the Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program, and may, at the discretion of the secretary, expand the program to include some or all of California Conservation Camps.(2) For purposes of this subdivision, California Conservation Camps has the same meaning as in Section 4952 of the Public Resources Code. |
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| 44 | 44 | | The people of the State of California do enact as follows: |
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| 46 | 46 | | ## The people of the State of California do enact as follows: |
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| 48 | 48 | | SECTION 1. Section 2786.5 is added to the Penal Code, to read:2786.5. (a) (1) The Legislature finds and declares both of the following:(A) The Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program was launched by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in August 2023 at Growlersburg Conservation Camp #33 in Georgetown as a pilot program to temporarily allow incarcerated youth between 18 and 25 years of age, who have a Level III classification score or a Violent Administrative Determinant, the ability to participate in the conservation camp program on a case-by-case basis.(B) The pilot program showed great promise, and the department expanded the pilot program to Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp #12 in August 2024.(2) It is the intent of the Legislature to make the Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program within the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation permanent.(b) (1) The Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shall make permanent the Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program, and may, at the discretion of the secretary, expand the program to include some or all of California Conservation Camps.(2) For purposes of this subdivision, California Conservation Camps has the same meaning as in Section 4952 of the Public Resources Code. |
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| 50 | 50 | | SECTION 1. Section 2786.5 is added to the Penal Code, to read: |
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| 52 | 52 | | ### SECTION 1. |
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| 54 | 54 | | 2786.5. (a) (1) The Legislature finds and declares both of the following:(A) The Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program was launched by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in August 2023 at Growlersburg Conservation Camp #33 in Georgetown as a pilot program to temporarily allow incarcerated youth between 18 and 25 years of age, who have a Level III classification score or a Violent Administrative Determinant, the ability to participate in the conservation camp program on a case-by-case basis.(B) The pilot program showed great promise, and the department expanded the pilot program to Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp #12 in August 2024.(2) It is the intent of the Legislature to make the Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program within the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation permanent.(b) (1) The Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shall make permanent the Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program, and may, at the discretion of the secretary, expand the program to include some or all of California Conservation Camps.(2) For purposes of this subdivision, California Conservation Camps has the same meaning as in Section 4952 of the Public Resources Code. |
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| 56 | 56 | | 2786.5. (a) (1) The Legislature finds and declares both of the following:(A) The Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program was launched by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in August 2023 at Growlersburg Conservation Camp #33 in Georgetown as a pilot program to temporarily allow incarcerated youth between 18 and 25 years of age, who have a Level III classification score or a Violent Administrative Determinant, the ability to participate in the conservation camp program on a case-by-case basis.(B) The pilot program showed great promise, and the department expanded the pilot program to Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp #12 in August 2024.(2) It is the intent of the Legislature to make the Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program within the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation permanent.(b) (1) The Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shall make permanent the Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program, and may, at the discretion of the secretary, expand the program to include some or all of California Conservation Camps.(2) For purposes of this subdivision, California Conservation Camps has the same meaning as in Section 4952 of the Public Resources Code. |
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| 58 | 58 | | 2786.5. (a) (1) The Legislature finds and declares both of the following:(A) The Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program was launched by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in August 2023 at Growlersburg Conservation Camp #33 in Georgetown as a pilot program to temporarily allow incarcerated youth between 18 and 25 years of age, who have a Level III classification score or a Violent Administrative Determinant, the ability to participate in the conservation camp program on a case-by-case basis.(B) The pilot program showed great promise, and the department expanded the pilot program to Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp #12 in August 2024.(2) It is the intent of the Legislature to make the Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program within the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation permanent.(b) (1) The Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shall make permanent the Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program, and may, at the discretion of the secretary, expand the program to include some or all of California Conservation Camps.(2) For purposes of this subdivision, California Conservation Camps has the same meaning as in Section 4952 of the Public Resources Code. |
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| 62 | 62 | | 2786.5. (a) (1) The Legislature finds and declares both of the following: |
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| 64 | 64 | | (A) The Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program was launched by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in August 2023 at Growlersburg Conservation Camp #33 in Georgetown as a pilot program to temporarily allow incarcerated youth between 18 and 25 years of age, who have a Level III classification score or a Violent Administrative Determinant, the ability to participate in the conservation camp program on a case-by-case basis. |
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| 66 | 66 | | (B) The pilot program showed great promise, and the department expanded the pilot program to Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp #12 in August 2024. |
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| 68 | 68 | | (2) It is the intent of the Legislature to make the Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program within the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation permanent. |
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| 70 | 70 | | (b) (1) The Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shall make permanent the Youth Offender Program Camp Pilot Program, and may, at the discretion of the secretary, expand the program to include some or all of California Conservation Camps. |
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| 72 | 72 | | (2) For purposes of this subdivision, California Conservation Camps has the same meaning as in Section 4952 of the Public Resources Code. |
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