SB-883 • 2026

Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment

Housing

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Umberg
Last action: 2026-04-23
Official status: In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on the minor changes made to criminal law definitions, only stating that these changes are technical and nonsubstantive.

Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Program

The bill modifies the CARE program by extending the time for developing a CARE plan from 14 to 21 days.

What This Bill Does

Extends the deadline for creating a CARE plan from 14 to 21 days after a court finds that someone meets the criteria for the program.

Who It Names or Affects

Adults who have schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders and need help with their mental health.
Family members, first responders, and others who can ask for a CARE plan on behalf of someone who needs it.
County behavioral health agencies that provide services under the CARE program.

Terms To Know

CARE Act: A law that helps people with severe mental illnesses get support and treatment through a special court program.
Respondent: The person who might need help from the CARE program because they have a serious mental illness.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify how much more time will be needed to develop a CARE plan.
Only makes minor changes to criminal law definitions and does not affect how crimes are handled in court.
The bill has passed both chambers of the legislature but its final status is unclear.

Bill History

2026-04-23 California Legislative Information
In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
2026-04-23 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 37. Noes 0.) Ordered to the Assembly.
2026-04-16 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to consent calendar.
2026-04-15 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. Ordered to consent calendar. (Ayes 12. Noes 0. Page 3867.) (April 14).
2026-04-09 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 14.
2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
2026-03-23 California Legislative Information
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.
2026-02-11 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on RLS.
2026-01-14 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after February 13.
2026-01-13 California Legislative Information
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 883, as amended, Umberg.
Criminal law.
Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) court program.
Existing law, the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act (the act), authorizes specified persons, including a person with whom the respondent resides, family members, and first responders, among others, to petition a civil court to create a voluntary CARE agreement or a court-ordered CARE plan and implement services, to be provided by county behavioral health agencies, to provide behavioral health care, including stabilization medication, housing, and other enumerated services, to adults who are currently experiencing a severe mental illness and have a diagnosis identified in the disorder class schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, and who meet other specified criteria. Existing law requires that if the court finds that the respondent meets the CARE criteria, the court is
required to order the county behavioral health agency, the respondent, and the respondent’s counsel and supporter to jointly develop a CARE plan within 14 days.
This bill would instead require a court to order the county behavioral health agency, the respondent, and the respondent’s counsel and supporter to jointly develop a CARE plan within 21 days.
Existing law specifies that crimes and public offenses include felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions.
This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to that provision.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF