AB 1641: Sexually Violent Predator Community Placements

In the fall of 2021, the community of Rancho Bernardo was selected for the placement of a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP). The proposed housing for the SVP was located near an elementary school and a community center.

Along with many in the community, I immediately voiced my opposition to this proposed placement and contacted the court and the Department of State Hospitals and urged them to reject this location. During my conversations with state and local officials, many flaws and ambiguities in the law came to light. 

The proposed placement of this offender defied logic and reasoning, which is why I authored Assembly Bill 1641. My bill will require all SVPs on conditional release be 24/7 GPS monitored.

What is an SVP?

An SVP is an individual convicted of a sexually violent offense that the court deems likely to reoffend, making them a danger to the health and safety of others around them. After an SVP completes their prison term, they are committed to a state hospital to undergo mental health treatment and rehabilitation.

If the Department of State Hospitals concludes the SVP should be placed under a conditional release, the individual may be placed in the Conditional Release Program (CONREP), placing them in the community while they receive ongoing treatment. Despite this program being designed to facilitate the SVPs safe transition back into the community, very few parameters are explicitly written into state law regarding protections that must be taken to ensure public safety of the communities SVPs are released into.

AB 1641 will strengthen the safety of our communities and give law enforcement the information and tools they need to best protect our communtities by requiring all SVPs on conditional release be 24/7 GPS monitored.