County Santa Barbara Stations Bill Brown Sheriff - Coroner Buellton Headquarters*

R2a

That the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office and the Santa Barbara County Probation Department promptly request that Santa Barbara County Counsel prepare a legal opinion as to whether, consistent with Federal and California law, WellPath or any successor may provide critical inmate mental health information to Sheriff's Office personnel who need to know that information for inmate housing, programing, and Electronic Monitored Home Release program decisions. <b>Sheriff's Office Response:</b> This has been implemented. To the extent that such information can be legally shared, additional research would be needed to ascertain if a WellPath contract amendment would be required due to an expanded scope of work. If so, negotiation would then be needed, as well as Board approval and funding, once that process was completed. Even with an aggressive schedule, the full implementation of such an information-sharing procedure will likely take 8 to 10 months. The Sheriff's Office has received legal advice from County Counsel and entered into negotiations with WellPath about such information sharing. This process will be completed on or before January 9, 2024, with a view to implementing the Jury's recommendation. <b>Recommendation 2b</b> That if Santa Barbara County Counsel determines that WellPath does have legal authority to provide inmate mental health information to Sheriff's Office personnel and Santa Barbara County Probation Department, then the County and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office shall amend the existing agreement with WellPath to require such sharing to the full extent of the law. Sheriff's Office Response: Requires further analysis. To the extent that such information can be legally shared, additional research would be needed to ascertain if a WellPath contract amendment would be required due to an expanded scope of work. If so, negotiation would then be needed, as well as Board approval and funding, once that process was completed. Even with an aggressive schedule, the full implementation of an information-sharing procedure will likely take 8 to 10 months. The Sheriff's Office has received legal advice from County Counsel and entered into negotiations with WellPath about such information sharing. This process will be completed on or before January 9, 2024, with a view to implementing the Jury's recommendation.

R2b

That if Santa Barbara County Counsel determines that WellPath does have legal authority to provide inmate mental health information to Sheriff's Office personnel and Santa Barbara County Probation Department, then the County and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office shall amend the existing agreement with WellPath to require such sharing to the full extent of the law. Sheriff’s Office Response: Requires further analysis. To the extent that such information can be legally shared, additional research would be needed to ascertain if a WellPath contract amendment would be required due to an expanded scope of work. If so, negotiation would then be needed, as well as Board approval and funding, once that process was completed. Even with an aggressive schedule, the full implementation of an information-sharing procedure will likely take 8 to 10 months. The Sheriff’s Office has received legal advice from County Counsel and entered into negotiations with WellPath about such information sharing. This process will be completed on or before January 9, 2024, with a view to implementing the Jury’s recommendation.