SB 28 expands CARE court eligibility, mandates electronic filing, a…

The Frame

What this does

This bill changes how individuals with severe mental illness interact with the court system by altering eligibility criteria, data sharing rules between agencies and providers, and the oversight of county performance, which impacts the delivery of behavioral health services across California.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

County behavioral health agencies

These agencies face increased duties, including the creation of electronic submission portals and new data reporting requirements.

CARE court respondents

Respondents are subject to extended examination windows and new exit planning requirements if their petitions are dismissed.

What changed

Last recorded activity August 13, 2026.

What's next

Introduced.

Summary

SB 28 modifies the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act by extending examination timelines, allowing remote court appearances, and requiring counties to implement electronic document submission by 2028. The bill also authorizes conservators to refer individuals to CARE court upon the termination of a and establishes a new CARE Court Ombudsperson within the California Health and Human Services Agency.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I appear for CARE court hearings remotely?

Yes, the bill authorizes all parties and witnesses to appear remotely, though the court retains the discretion to order in-person appearances if necessary.

What happens if a county fails to engage with the CARE process?

The court is prohibited from terminating a respondent's participation in the CARE process solely because a county or local government entity failed to properly engage.

Why It Matters

This bill changes how individuals with severe mental illness interact with the court system by altering eligibility criteria, data sharing rules between agencies and providers, and the oversight of county performance, which impacts the delivery of behavioral health services across California.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Increased County Accountability

The bill shifts from purely voluntary participation to a more structured oversight model by requiring the state to publicly identify underperforming counties.

California Health and Human Services Agency

Connected Entities

organizationCalifornia Health and Human Services Agency“Houses the new CARE Court Ombudsperson and oversees county performance reporting”Map →

otherCARE Court Ombudsperson“New position established within the California Health and Human Services Agency.”Map →

organizationJudicial Council“Responsible for developing mandatory forms and court procedures.”Map →

organizationCommission on State Mandates“Determines reimbursement for state-mandated local costs.”Map →

organizationState Department of Health Care Services“Responsible for developing the CARE Act model exit plan.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

openstates.org

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance85
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy40
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz30
Current news / social attention level

SB 28 expands CARE court eligibility, mandates electronic filing, and creates an ombudsperson role