AB 154: Prisoners: mental health treatment.

Existing law requires a court, upon the conviction of a defendant of a felony resulting in his or her sentencing to state prison, to recommend in writing that the defendant participate in a counseling or education program having a substance abuse component while imprisoned if the court makes certain findings relating to his or her drug use.

This bill would require a court, upon the conviction of a defendant for a felony resulting in his or her sentencing to state prison, to recommend in writing that the defendant receive a mental health evaluation if the court finds that the defendant at the time of the commission of the offense was suffering from a serious mental illness or has a demonstrated history of mental illness.