Bill is First Order of Business after Being Sworn in for Second Term

SACRAMENTO – With the start of the new legislative session, Assemblymember Alyson Huber has introduced a bill that would halt the planned closure of Preston Youth Correctional Facility. AB 8 was the first piece of legislation Assemblymember Huber introduced after taking the oath of office for her second term as the representative for the 10th Assembly District.

AB 8 would prohibit the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Juvenile Facilities from closing any youth correctional facility during the six-month period following the effective date of the legislation. It also directs that activities levels at any facility will remain at effectively the same levels as when the closure of Preston was first announced.

"The proposed closure of Preston came with no justification or consideration of the effects on the employees, wards or surrounding community. The process by which Preston was selected for closure remains unclear despite numerous public hearings and requests for information," said Assemblymember Huber. "This bill will put a temporary halt to the process that CDCR seems intent on barreling forward without clear regard of the impact of the decision. It will give the Legislature and Governor the time necessary to look deeper into how CDCR is making decisions about how to meet the needs of a dwindling youth offender population and a shrinking budget."

The introduction of AB 8 comes only days before the next scheduled public hearing on the planned closure of Preston Youth Correctional Facility. The hearing is being held on December 8, 2010 at 5:30pm at the Amador County Board of Supervisors Chambers in Jackson. Representatives from CDCR will be present to answer questions. The public is invited to attend the hearing to voice their opinions on the slated closure and discuss what impacts the closure will have on Amador County.

The text of the bill will be available online soon at www.leginfo.ca.gov and copies will be available at the hearing.

For more information, call (916) 319-2010 or visit www.asm.ca.gov/huber.

CONTACT: Jennifer Wonnacott @ 916/319-2010

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Assemblymember Huber Demands Answers Regarding the Slated Closure of a Youth Correctional Facility