Criminal Justice
AB 1549 would let Sacramento County offer a backup counseling option
AB 1549 would add Sacramento County to the short list allowed to use a different counseling path when a batterer’s program is not available. The authority would last through July 1, 2030.
California’s AB 1549 would let Sacramento County offer an alternative counseling program for people convicted of domestic violence when a batterer’s program is not available. The county would join a small group already allowed to use that option, and the authority would run through July 1, 2030.
- Sacramento County could join a small group allowed to offer an alternative domestic violence program.
- The option applies when a batterer’s program is not available.
- The county authority would run through July 1, 2030.
- Existing counties already using the exception would keep it.
- In California, people on probation for domestic violence cases can be ordered into a batterer’s program, or, if that is not available, another appropriate counseling program
In California, people on probation for domestic violence cases can be ordered into a batterer’s program, or, if that is not available, another appropriate counseling program. AB 1549 would keep that basic setup and add Sacramento County to the short list of counties allowed to offer a separate alternative program, as long as it meets the state’s conditions.
A narrower lane for local counseling
The bill would extend the current county authority to July 1, 2030. Napa, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Yolo already have that option, so Sacramento would be joining an existing exception rather than creating a new statewide rule.