Story perspectives

Newsom Signs Law Ending Mental-Health Diversion, Critics Warn Racial Impact

6/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

Governor Gavin Newsom signed a California law letting judges keep defendants in jail instead of community mental-health diversion.
The law overturns a 2018 rule that required diversion when mental-health issues contributed to the crime and the defendant posed no unreasonable risk.
Police unions and law-enforcement groups backed the change, while the Ella Baker Center warned it threatens diversion programs that lowered incarceration rates for people of color.

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Story summary

Governor Gavin Newsom signed a California law letting judges keep defendants in jail instead of community mental-health diversion.
The law overturns a 2018 rule that required diversion when mental-health issues contributed to the crime and the defendant posed no unreasonable risk.
Police unions and law-enforcement groups backed the change, while the Ella Baker Center warned it threatens diversion programs that lowered incarceration rates for people of color.