SB380 protects communities from sexually violent predators signed by Gov. Newsom

Palmdale, CA.- Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) announced his Senate Bill 380 has been signed into law by the governor and will take effect immediately. 

The bill directs the Department of State Hospitals to investigate placing sexually violent predators in state-run transitional housing facilities upon release. Current practice allows them to be conditionally released into the community, where they pose a risk to the public safety.

“This bill’s signing is a big win for communities like mine that’ve been treated as dumping grounds for these violent predators and I thank the governor for recognizing this serious issue was in dire need of redress,” said Jones. “Finally, the state will be forced to stop shirking its responsibility to protect the public and to take a serious look at alternative options for housing these threats.” 

Supported by a coalition of local government, law enforcement and victims’ advocacy groups, SB 380 implements a recommendation from the California State Auditor’s Office for the Department of State Hospitals to study the feasibility of transitional housing for sexually violent predators out on conditional release. 

The auditor’s recommendation came after Jones secured an audit of the state’s handling of the conditional release program. The department refused to implement the recommendation on its own, requiring legislative action.

“This new law is a battle won against a state agency that has repeatedly ignored calls from the public, elected officials and the state auditor to fix this very broken system,” said Jones. “Families in our neighborhoods should not have to live in fear wondering if any day, the state might drop in a new neighbor with a proven penchant for sexual predation.”

Different from most new laws which take effect January 1, Jones drafted SB 380 to include an urgency clause, stipulating that it take effect immediately upon the governor’s signing. 

“This is the definition of an urgent issue, and we need to get this solved now, not in January or some later date off into the future,” said Jones. “With the governor’s signature, the department must immediately begin their investigation into housing these SVPs in state-run transitional housing rather than dropping them like bombs into our communities.”

Mary Hutchinson-Jeters, a passionate advocate, has been eagerly attending court meetings and hearings via Zoom or in person. Here’s what she had to say about the SB380

“I am THRILLED to see that Governor Newsom has signed SB 380, the “SAFE Act“.

Although this only mandates a feasibility study, it is a huge step in the right direction towards placing these predators in transitional housing on government property, such as the grounds of the mental hospitals where they are currently being treated, rather than dumping them in our communities.

Both SB 379 and SB 380 passed unanimously all the way through the State Legislature. SB 379 is still waiting for final vote in the State Assembly, but has also received huge bipartisan support. It proposes to force the Department of State Hospitals to make public safety a criteria for placements (which it shockingly is not currently), and to have the state sign off on these releases, rather than to have their subcontractor Liberty Healthcare, be in complete control of the process.

I applaud the work of all of our public officials who have been fighting so hard for these changes!”

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger applauded Governor Newsom for signing Senate Bill 380 (SB 380) into law, a measure that will help mitigate the disproportionate impact of sexually violent predator (SVP) placements on desert communities.

“The signing of SB 380 is an important step toward ensuring that our desert communities are treated fairly and equitably,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “These areas have long borne a disproportionate share of SVP placements, and this law provides much needed safeguards for residents. I want to thank Senator Brian W. Jones for his leadership in authoring this legislation.”

Supervisor Barger also noted that she introduced a motion in support of SB 380, which received backing from a majority of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

“I am proud that our Board of Supervisors put their support behind this critical bill,” Supervisor Barger stated. “Our desert communities deserve our advocacy and protection. I will continue working hard to ensure their voices are heard.”

“It’s crucial that these sexual predators remain incarcerated or in mental institutions. Their release into our communities is not only unjust but also poses a substantial risk, especially considering the inadequate enforcement measures. Fortunately, the state has recognized the concerns of communities across the state and taken action to address them. The Antelope Valley will no longer serve as a dumping ground for these individuals. While the community faces its own set of challenges and seeks solutions, introducing additional problems is not constructive. Local leaders, both past and present, welcome the passage of SB380.” Vladimir Gomez