(a) The State Department of State Hospitals shall establish a statewide panel of independent evaluators responsible for Forensic Conditional Release Program placement determinations for patients committed to the department and transitioning to community treatment settings for services pursuant to Section 4360.

(b) The purpose of the statewide independent evaluation panel is to identify state hospital patients who are ready for discharge to the Forensic Conditional Release Program pursuant to Section 4360, to promote successful community reintegration. The panel may consist of both contracted and civil service licensed psychologists and licensed social workers designated by the department. A licensed psychologist or licensed social worker panel member shall evaluate the state hospital patient to determine if the patient is suitable for community outpatient treatment and to determine whether an appropriate placement is available for the patient in the community-based treatment system based upon guidelines provided by the department, including the use of evidence-based risk assessment tools for all community release determinations. The panel member shall provide the court that has jurisdiction over the patient’s placement with a written placement recommendation on behalf of the statewide independent evaluation panel.

(c) The statewide independent evaluation panel shall be used either independently or in conjunction with the community program director, designated pursuant to § 1605 of the Penal Code, to provide placement recommendations for patients committed to the State Department of State Hospitals on appropriateness for the Forensic Conditional Release Program. The department shall determine whether the statewide independent evaluation panel or the community program director, or both, is responsible for case reviews and placement recommendation.

(d) The department shall conduct an evaluation of the effectiveness of the program created pursuant to this section to determine whether to extend the use of the statewide independent evaluation panel after June 30, 2026.

(e) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department may implement, interpret, or make specific this section by means of a departmental letter or other similar instruction, as necessary.

(f) Contracts awarded pursuant to this statute are exempt from the requirements contained in the Public Contract Code and the State Administrative Manual and are not subject to approval by the Department of General Services.

(g)  This section shall remain in effect only until June 30, 2026, and as of that date is repealed.

(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 47, Sec. 55. (SB 184) Effective June 30, 2022. Repealed as of June 30, 2026, by its own provisions.)