Legislation to Protect California’s Communities Pass Primary Committees

Thursday, April 26 2018

Sacramento, California –Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge) authored SB 1317 and SB 1266, two important bills to protect communities against burglaries and unregulated recovery facilities. Both bills passed key policy committees this week, Senate Health and Senate Public Safety, and are now moving to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

“I am glad that these important bills have passed their first legislative step. As the 25th Senate district representative, I have heard the concerns of many constituents regarding the increase of burglaries and residential recovery facilities. I will continue to work hard towards issues that safeguard quality of life ,” commented Senator Portantino.

SB 1317 would require the state to develop guidelines for residential care facilities to address certain issues, including, among others, methods for determining whether complaints received by the department regarding unlicensed facilities in communities are substantiated or unsubstantiated.  Often these facilities are place in suburban neighborhoods without notice. Although they have excellent missions and provide necessary services, local communities have been preempted from requiring any form of reasonable public safety inspections or regulations. Portantino’s bill seeks to take that first step in providing some prudent oversight of these facilities.

SB 1266 requires anyone convicted of burglary to be subject to GPS monitoring as a condition of parole. Anyone who has experienced a residential burglary knows how unsettling it is to have their home invaded, and the long lasting feeling of insecurity it leaves behind.  Upon release law enforcement should monitor the offender’s activity upon release.

“Through SB 1317 and SB 1266 I hope I can bring some common sense solutions to the issues our communities often face.” concluded Senator Portantino.

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