Sexually violent predator bill passes Assembly committee

Assemblyman James Gallagher’s bill about the placement of sexually violent predators passed the Assembly’s Committee on Public Safety on Tuesday with unanimous, bipartisan support.

The bill would require a court to consider the placement of sexually violent predators in the counties they are from.

A judge’s decision on the placement of a sexually violent predator transitioning back into society on a conditional release from a state hospital would take into consideration residential, familial, or employment connections.

Gallagher, along with co-author Sen. Jim Nielsen, submitted the bill on Jan. 31 when two Superior Court judges were considering two potential placements of predators outside their counties of domicile – one in Yuba County and one in Placer County.

“These offenders pose a serious risk to our community, and rural counties shouldn’t be the dumping ground for offenders from other parts of the state,” Gallagher said in a press release. “Today, we took an important step forward in ending this flawed practice that threatens our North State communities.”

While a Santa Clara County judge ultimately denied the placement of one sexually violent predator within Placer County on Feb. 7, a Monterey County judge approved the placement of Eldridge Lindsey Chaney Jr. in Yuba County just a few days later.

Chaney’s move to Yuba County was postponed last week after a Monterey County judge wanted a flood evacuation plan for him in place before his placement. The judge is expected to hold a hearing toward the end of April to review the plan.

Current state law allows a court to look at placing sexually violent predators in counties where they essentially have no ties or history if placement in the county of domicile is unavailable.

The bill now heads to the Assembly for further consideration.