AB 2217: Criminal procedure: alternatives to arrest.

The bill aims to improve public safety and reduce recidivism by increasing the use of social service resources and reducing costs to law enforcement agencies and courts. The program, renamed "Alternatives to Arrest", would provide grants to jurisdictions to establish lead programs, with a focus on Los Angeles and three other jurisdictions. The program would allow law enforcement officers to refer individuals to services as an alternative to arrest, without the need for specific criteria. This would include referrals for disorderly conduct, shoplifting, and other non-violent offenses. The program would also expand eligibility for referral to include individuals at high risk of arrest in the future, and would require a case management component to provide ongoing support. The bill would require a report on the program's effectiveness by January 1, 2031.