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Senate Bill (SB) 27 was signed by Governor Newsom on October 10, 2025, going into effect on January 1, 2026. SB 27 amends provisions of the CARE Act in a number of ways:

• Adds bipolar I disorder with psychotic features as an eligible diagnosis.
• Defines “clinically stabilized in ongoing voluntary treatment.”
• Provides a process by which certain court referrals can constitute a CARE petition without a separate petition form being filed.
• Allows criminal courts to consider CARE referrals earlier for individuals found incompetent to stand trial (IST) in misdemeanor cases.
• Allows nurse practitioners and physician assistants to complete an affidavit in support of a CARE petition.
• Makes other technical amendments to the CARE process.

Download the brief for a more detailed summary of SB 27’s provisions. These provisions will be effective January 1, 2026.