Board directs staff to apply for state grant to support Prop 36 implementation

The Yolo County Board of Supervisors on June 3 directed staff to prepare and submit a grant application intended to help the county implement Proposition 36, the 2024 ballot measure that added a treatment‑mandated felony and other changes to California law.

County teams—probation, public defender, district attorney and Health & Human Services—presented a cross‑agency update on the law’s key provisions and local implications. District office representatives said Prop 36 re‑established certain felony‑level theft tools and created a treatment‑mandated felony (Health & Safety Code section 11395) for some people arrested on drug offenses; the measure passed in every California county in November 2024, presenters said.

Rochelle Gayton of Probation and Garrett Hamilton representing the district attorney outlined operational considerations: staffing, treatment capacity, monitoring and data systems. Staff reported the Board of State and Community Corrections had announced a competitive opportunity that could provide funding for counties to expand capacity; the draft application seeks funds to streamline pathways into treatment, honor existing treatment courts and expand bed capacity and case monitoring.

Supervisor Allen moved and Supervisor Barajas seconded a motion directing county staff to proceed with grant preparation and submittal. The board approved the motion on a voice vote. Staff said the grant would be submitted under Health & Human Services as the grantee and that the proposal would include community outreach events in June to gather input on the design.

Officials emphasized the project would not automatically expand treatment to everyone charged; the district attorney’s office said local charging discretion will guide use of the new felony, and both defense counsel and probation emphasized evaluating treatment readiness and avoiding collateral consequences such as immigration impacts where possible.