SB 956 Summary

• Expands the Electronic Monitoring Program (EMP) to allow first-time nonviolent offenders who are primary caregivers of minor children to participate immediately upon the effective date of the act, without requiring minimum incarceration time or assignment to a halfway house.

• Maintains existing EMP eligibility criteria for other inmates, including the 180-day minimum incarceration requirement and prohibitions on violent offenders, drug trafficking convicts, sex offenders, and those with active misconduct.

• Requires the Department of Corrections to provide written notification to sheriffs, district attorneys, and law enforcement before placing EMP participants in community settings.

• Authorizes the Department of Corrections to require EMP participants to pay for monitoring equipment, supervision costs, substance abuse treatment, and other program expenses based on ability to pay.

• Becomes effective November 1, 2011.