County supes delay CARE Court implementation

Board splits on delaying implementation of SB 43, which expands ‘gravely disabled’ definition and creates court to determine conservatorships

San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond voted to delay the implementation of the county’s CARE Court until Jan. 1, 2025. He said the county, healthcare providers and services are not ready, but said he will not vote to delay any further. Steve Puterski image

COUNTY — A marathon session ended with the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voting to delay implementation of the newly established CARE Court until no later than Jan. 1, 2025.

The board voted 3-2 during its meeting Tuesday for the delay as a way to allow county staff to build up resources and partnerships to enact the new law. Supervisors Terra Lawson-Remer and Joel Anderson opposed the item.

Last year Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the controversial Senate Bill 43 approving the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Act.

The law, Senate Bill 43, amends the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act and expands the definition of “gravely disabled” to include a result of substance abuse, a co-occurring mental health disorder and severe substance use disorder and are unable to provide for their personal safety or medical care.

Also, it was aimed as a way to take pressure off the state’s growing homeless problem, creating a new civil court process and reducing barriers to conservatorships. The court is intended to offer voluntary treatment and services.

To qualify for CARE Court, a person must be at least 18 and have schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder. Those with bipolar disorder, regardless of whether they have psychotic symptoms, do not qualify under current law, according to the L.A. Times.

Chairwoman Nora Vargas expressed concerns last week over a lack of infrastructure to handle the estimated 1,000 applications and at least 250 patients across the county, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.