DATE:
November 4, 2025
13
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
ADVOCATING FOR FUNDING FOR PROPOSITION 36 IMPLEMENTATION (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
Proposition 36, the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act, was approved by California voters in November 2024 with 68.4% of the vote and took effect on December 18, 2024. Among other provisions, the measure established the Treatment-Mandated Felony (TMF) program, which allows eligible individuals with qualifying drug offenses to participate in treatment in lieu of a felony conviction.
The intent of Proposition 36 is to reduce crime, support rehabilitation, and address addiction and theft through treatment rather than repeated jail time. By addressing root causes of criminal behavior, the measure offers a pathway to reduce recidivism, help people get off the streets and into care, and ultimately enhance public safety.
However, the early implementation of Proposition 36 has placed significant operational and fiscal pressure on the region's detention facilities, courts, behavioral health services, and probation system. While the law imposes new responsibilities on counties, the State did not include dedicated, ongoing funding to support its rollout. As a result, local law enforcement agencies and service providers have been forced to absorb substantial costs without the necessary resources.
Without sufficient support, the burden falls disproportionately on local systems, jeopardizing the ability to provide timely treatment, straining jail capacity, and undermining the County of San Diego's efforts to reduce homelessness and crime.
Today's action recommends including language in the County of San Diego's Legislative Program Priority Issues which would direct the County to advocate for dedicated and sustainable funding to implement Proposition 36, specifically for law enforcement, justice, and behavioral health functions. In addition, this item directs the Chief Administrative Officer to ...
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