SANTA ANA, Calif. — Today, Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D–Santa Ana), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senator Caroline Menjivar (D–San Fernando Valley), Chair of the Senate Health Committee, hosted a Joint Informational Hearing of the Senate Health and Judiciary Committees to examine early CARE Court implementation and emerging best practices across California.

The hearing brought together representatives from state agencies, county behavioral health departments, courts, public defenders, disability rights advocates, and family petitioners to share firsthand experiences from the program’s first year.

Today’s discussion highlights both the promise of the CARE Court model and the real-world challenges counties are facing,” said Senator Umberg. “The individual stories shared were inspiring and truly underscore why we do this work. Our job is to ensure the system delivers on its goal: connecting people in deep crisis with care, stability and dignity.” 

Panels included representatives from the California Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Health Care Services, Judicial Council of California, Disability Rights California, Riverside County, Alameda County, Los Angeles County CARE Court, Orange County Superior Court, San Diego County CARE Court, the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office and others.

Throughout the hearing, panelists offered a deeper look at the program’s first nine months of operation, shared how the CARE Act is working in practice, and described on-the-ground experiences from family petitioners, behavioral health professionals, judges, and attorneys. Their testimony highlighted both early successes and the challenges that counties continue to confront as they expand the program statewide.

“Thank you to my cohost, Judiciary Committee Chair Senator Umberg, providers, and stakeholders for taking part in our Joint Health & Judiciary Committees Oversight Hearing on the CARE Act. These reviews are critical to strengthening our partnerships with counties, ensuring the legislature stays informed and engaged, and keeping accountability at the forefront of this initiative for the safety, sustainable recovery, and wellbeing of CARE participants,” said Senator Menjivar. “Top points for me included expanding on data points, tracking everyone who encounters CARE Court, and simplifying the process. As Chair of Senate Health, I look forward to advancing the important work we’ve set into motion in Los Angeles County during our next legislative session and beyond.” 

Watch full info hearing: HERE

Background:

CARE Court was established in 2022 through SB 1338, authored by Senator Umberg and Senator Eggman and sponsored by Governor Newsom and former Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly.

CARE Court aims to intervene early to help prevent more restrictive conservatorships or incarceration. It connects individuals in crisis with a court-ordered CARE plan for up to 12 months, with the option to extend once. The program provides trauma-informed, culturally responsive, community-based services, including stabilization medications, recovery supports and connections to housing and social services.

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 Senator Thomas J. Umberg represents the 34th Senate District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, Garden Grove, La Habra, Long Beach, Orange, Placentia, Santa Ana, and East and South Whittier. Umberg is a retired U.S. Army Colonel, former federal prosecutor, and small businessman. He and his wife, Brigadier General Robin Umberg, USA (ret.), live in Orange County.