County reviews how new state laws apply here

At the Jan. 7 county Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Candace Andersen was sworn in as chair, and the board approved her recommendations for new committee assignments.

The board has a number of internal standing committees that examine a multitude of issues that impact the county. Two members of the board serve on each committee. I have been on the Legislation Committee in recent years and am the new chair this year.

The Legislation Committee reviews federal and state legislative programs. It also identifies strategies to improve awareness, understanding and advocacy on issues and legislation of importance to Contra Costa County. With input from county departments and a variety of stakeholders, the Legislation Committee develops the state and federal legislative platforms.

When the county advocates for state or federal legislation, it either falls in line with the county platform or the Legislation Committee takes a formal position. Laws passed by the state Legislature or U.S. Congress directly impact local government. Many times, the county has the responsibility to enact state and federal programs.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed many bills that took effect Jan. 1. Here is a brief update on a few bills that will have a direct impact on Contra Costa County:

SB 13/Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Makes it easier for property owners to build junior ADUs and standard ADUs. The Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development has prepared a revised ADU ordinance to be consistent with the state changes. This ordinance update will come before the Board of Supervisors in late January or early February.

SB 22/Rape Kits Testing. Requires a law enforcement agency to either submit sexual assault forensic evidence to a crime lab or ensure that a rapid turnaround DNA program is in place. It requires a crime lab to either process the evidence or transmit the evidence to another crime lab for processing.

SB 591/Mental Health Evaluations for Incarcerated Persons. Requires psychiatrists or psychologists from the Department of State Hospitals, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation or the Board of Parole Hearings be given access to prisoners temporarily held at a county correctional facility, a county medical facility or a state-assigned mental health provider.

SB 716/Juveniles: Delinquency: Postsecondary Academic and Career Technical Education. Requires a county probation department to ensure that juveniles with a high school diploma or California high school equivalency certificate who are detained in, or committed to, a juvenile hall, ranch, camp or forestry camp have access to, and can choose to participate in, public postsecondary academic and career technical courses and programs offered online, and for which they are eligible based on eligibility criteria and course schedules of the public postsecondary education campus providing the course or program.

This is just a snapshot of legislation that impacts our county. I encourage you to check our Legislation Committee website to review agenda notices and regular updates at contracosta.ca.gov/2292/Legislation. If you call my office at 925-521-7100, we can also add your email to the committee’s contact list so that you will receive agendas when they post.

Karen Mitchoff is Contra Costa County District IV supervisor. Email questions or comments to Mitchoff at supervisormitchoff@bos.cccounty.us