SB 1266 Summary

• Authorizes the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to offer a voluntary alternative custody program for female inmates, pregnant inmates, and inmates who were primary caregivers of dependent children sentenced to state prison.

• Alternative custody includes confinement to residential homes, residential drug or treatment programs, or transitional care facilities, with participants receiving the same sentence reduction credits as if serving time in state prison.

• Establishes eligibility criteria excluding inmates with violent felony convictions, serious felony convictions, sex offender registrations, high-risk violent offense assessments, or escapes within the last 10 years.

• Requires electronic monitoring or GPS devices, individualized treatment and rehabilitation plans, case management services, and permits participants to seek employment, education, counseling, and treatment while maintaining community supervision.

• Makes escape or attempted escape from the alternative custody program a misdemeanor offense and establishes that no state reimbursement is required for this mandate.