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Board of State and Community Corrections seeks authority to sue counties over unsuitable juvenile halls after Los Padrinos enforcement
Summary
The Board of State and Community Corrections asked the subcommittee to authorize trailer bill language allowing the board to bring legal action when it finds a county juvenile facility unsuitable; the request follows repeated unsuitability findings for Los Angeles County juvenile halls and a lawsuit from the county.
The Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) asked the Assembly Subcommittee on Public Safety to approve trailer‑bill language authorizing the board to file suit against counties when the board finds local juvenile detention facilities unsuitable.
Board Executive Director Aaron McGuire and BSCC staff briefed the committee on long‑running inspections and reinspections of Los Angeles County juvenile facilities. The BSCC said two county juvenile halls — Central Juvenile Hall and Barry J. Nidorf — were found unsuitable in May 2023 and the county left the youth by moving them to a previously unused facility, Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. BSCC inspectors subsequently found Los Padrinos unsuitable in October 2024; the board said the county has continued to operate Los Padrinos despite the unsuitability determinations and that the county recently filed a lawsuit seeking relief from the board’s actions.
The BSCC told the committee the requested trailer‑bill language responds to a 2000 attorney‑general opinion that limited the predecessor agency’s ability to enforce unsuitability findings. The proposed language would specifically authorize the board to file legal action to enforce unsuitability findings, clarify that the board may inspect facilities more frequently than an every‑other‑year cycle, and allow the board to delegate corrective action plan approval to staff.
LAO offered no comment on the proposal during the hearing. Local stakeholders — including probation chiefs and county representatives — supported the BSCC’s authority in principle but asked for further dialogue to ensure the legislation preserves collaborative state‑local relationships and avoids duplication of duties.
Ending: The committee heard requests for careful drafting to balance enforcement authority with county engagement; BSCC representatives said the change is targeted to restore enforcement tools the board believes are necessary after repeated noncompliance by a county facility.
