California Senator Tom Umberg has proposed SB 28, which is currently under review in the state legislature with the aim of fully implementing Proposition 36, which was overwhelmingly passed in 2024. If SB 28 is approved, it will provide funding for drug rehabilitation programs under Proposition 36. Lee Shaomin has urged the public to call the Governor and Senators to ensure smooth implementation.
Proposition 36 focuses on strengthening penalties for drug and theft offenders while also providing drug rehabilitation treatment as an alternative. It has become an important measure in California to enhance public safety and reform the rehabilitation system.
SB 28 requires all counties in the state to establish “treatment courts” uniformly, eliminating the current practice of “voluntary participation.” It also mandates professional assessments of drug abuse and mental health for defendants to ensure they receive appropriate and financially supported treatment. The proposal was unanimously passed by the Senate Public Safety Committee on March 25 and has been referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee for review scheduled on May 23, attracting significant attention.
However, Governor Gavin Newsom recently unveiled a budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, revealing a $12 billion deficit and failing to allocate new funds for Proposition 36, only allocating $127 million remaining from Proposition 47. This is significantly inadequate considering the $250 to $400 million required for drug rehabilitation treatment under Proposition 36.
Lee Shaomin, the Outreach Director for Proposition 36, criticized Newsom for disregarding the will of the voters. “Last year, over seventy percent of voters, including a majority of Democrats, voted in favor of Proposition 36, reflecting widespread concerns about deteriorating public safety and rampant drug abuse.” He criticized the state government for spending $5 billion annually on healthcare for illegal immigrants while allocating less than ten percent to drug rehabilitation projects supported by the public.
He also mentioned that the state government is pushing for SB 751, a proposal to permanently allocate funds to support research related to the legalization of hallucinogenic drugs, raising questions about the legitimacy of its resource allocation.
Lee Shaomin further stated that providing prosecutors with the power to charge habitual thieves with felonies remains unaffected in the bill, but the lack of funds hampers the treatment and placement of drug addicts. “Currently, about thirty percent of criminal cases in Orange County involve drugs. Treatment courts not only help with rehabilitation but also reduce recidivism, making a significant contribution to public safety.”
Umberg also stated that the passage of SB 28 will help promote a standardized treatment court system statewide, further enhancing the success rate of drug rehabilitation and strengthening public safety. He urged the state government to establish a stable funding source to ensure the long-term effective implementation of this system.
In a post on platform X on March 24, he stated: “SB 28 poses a serious test to California’s democratic system, whether legislators in Sacramento are willing to follow the clear will expressed by voters in free and fair elections.”
Currently, SB 28 has garnered support from professional organizations such as the California Psychiatric Association and the California District Attorneys Association. However, there are concerns that without additional funding injections, current resources may become stretched thin.
Lee Shaomin called on supporters of Proposition 36 to take immediate action by calling the Governor to urge him to fulfill his duty to allocate funds to support the implementation of the bill. They should also express support for SB 28 to the Senate Appropriations Committee, clearly demanding that the state government respect the voters’ decision and promptly allocate funds to promote the drug rehabilitation program in Proposition 36.
Contact Information:
Call Governor Newsom’s Office: 916-445-2841
Write to Chairwoman Senator Caballero and Committee Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee:
Chairwoman Senator Caballero: 916-651-4014