A new California state law, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in October, is set to expand California’s CARE Court program, which aims to better serve residents struggling with severe mental health issues.
Senate Bill (SB) 27, introduced by Sen. Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana), took effect on Jan. 1, 2026. It broadens the California CARE Court program’s eligibility criteria to include people whose psychosis is caused by bipolar disorder, in addition to those with schizophrenia.
“With this legislation, more Californians will finally receive the assistance they need to fully reintegrate into society. SB 27 provides a balanced and compassionate path forward — far preferable to the extremes we’ve seen elsewhere — whether it’s sweeping executive orders on civil commitments or doing nothing at all and allowing people to die on our streets,” Umberg said when Newsom signed SB 27.
“The beauty of CARE Court is that it holds both institutions and individuals accountable, ensures individuals get the care they need and gives judges a clear role in overseeing and guiding the process,” he continued.
Launched in 2023, CARE Court was designed to provide a new pathway for courts to coordinate mental health treatment, medications, and housing for individuals experiencing severe psychosis, including those living on the streets. However, the program has faced challenges. It has fallen short of its initial goals, helping far fewer people than expected, and has struggled to meet the needs of homeless participants.
With the new law, supporters hope that the expanded eligibility will allow more Californians to benefit from CARE Court services. However, lawmakers and county officials, including those in San Diego, remain cautious, with some estimating that the program’s expansion could only increase its reach by as much as 48%.
The law also streamlines the process for entering CARE Court by merging two early court hearings into one, reducing court time for participants and saving administrative resources. Additionally, individuals charged with crimes who are deemed incompetent to stand trial will now be able to be directly referred into the program by the criminal justice system.
Despite the expansion, the program’s current numbers show a gap between initial expectations and reality. As of October 2025, only 684 treatment agreements had been approved out of more than 3,000 petitions filed. Newsom’s administration had initially projected that between 7,000 and 12,000 individuals would qualify for CARE Court, but the program has faced setbacks in meeting those targets.
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By: Bo Tefu, California Black Media
