The existing Law Enforcement Peer Support and Crisis Referral Services Program authorized local and regional law enforcement agencies to create a peer support network. In addition, subject to certain enumerated exceptions, prior law permitted law enforcement officers to keep communications with peer support team members confidential. SB 459 expands these rights.
SB 459 amends the term “confidential communications” to include any information transmitted between law enforcement personnel and recipients of group peer support services while a peer support team member or mental health professional provides group peer support services. The term “group peer support services” is amended to mean peer support services comprised of at least one peer support team member or mental health professional and more than one recipient of group peer support services.
Subject to certain enumerated exceptions, which now include juvenile delinquency proceedings, a law enforcement officer has a right to refuse to disclose and to prevent another from disclosing a confidential communication between law enforcement personnel and recipients of group peer support services made while a peer support team member or mental health professional provides group peer support services.
(SB 459 amends sections 8669.3 and 8669.4 of the Government Code.)