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ADMINISTRATION - Chief Administrator Gabriel Hydrick
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Requested Action(s)
recommendation
a) AGREEMENT- Request authorization for the Chief Administrator to sign the CARE Court Funds Agreement with The State Bar of California for the purpose of providing funding to the County for public defender services in the amount of $50,000, effective 7/1/25 through 1/1/27
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Financial Impact:
The Fiscal impact is anticipated to be minimal, if any, to the County. Staff time will be obligated to review reporting from Public Defender(s) and some general oversight. Recovery of Administrative costs is permissible.
Background Information:
In 2022, Senate Bill 1338 was enacted, creating the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program (Welfare and Institutions Code sections 5970-5987), as amended in 2023 by Senate Bill No. 35. In 2025, Assembly Bill No. 102 was enacted, allocating $15,750,000 ("CARE Court Fund") to be distributed by the Judicial Council of California through the State Bar via grant awards to qualified legal services projects and unawarded funds, if any, to public defenders to provide legal counsel pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 5976 of the Welfare and Institutions Code for representation in CARE Act proceedings, matters related to CARE agreements, and CARE plans by December 1, 2025 ("CARE Court Legal Services"). The CARE Court Fund was to be distributed by the State Bare to qualified legal services projects who were found to be eligible through a competitive grant process. After which, the Legal Services Trust Fund Commission shall provide any funds not awarded to qualified legal services projects for representation in CARE Act proceedings, matters related to CARE agreements, and CARE plans in each county to that county's public defender office to provide those services.
The State Bar of California, a Legal Services Trust Fund Program has been established in the State of California. The Office of Access & Inclusi...
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