1724. (Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 33, Sec. 47.)

(a) Commissioners and board representatives hearing matters pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 1719 or any other matter involving wards under the jurisdiction of the Division of Juvenile Facilities shall have a broad background in, and ability to perform or understand, appraisal of youthful offenders and delinquents, the circumstances of delinquency for which those persons are committed, and the evaluation of an individual’s progress toward reformation. Insofar as practicable, commissioners and board representatives selected to hear these matters also shall have a varied and sympathetic interest in juvenile justice and shall have experience or education in the fields of juvenile justice, sociology, law, law enforcement, mental health, medicine, drug treatment, or education.

(b) Within 60 days of appointment and annually thereafter, commissioners and board representatives described in subdivision (a) shall undergo a minimum of 40 hours of training in the following areas:

(1) Adolescent brain development, the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy, and evidence-based treatment and recidivism-reduction models.

(2) Treatment and training programs provided to wards at the Division of Juvenile Facilities, including, but not limited to, educational, vocational, mental health, medical, substance abuse, psychotherapeutic counseling, and sex offender treatment programs.

(3) Current national research on effective interventions with juvenile offenders and how they compare to division program and treatment services.

(4) Commissioner duties and responsibilities.

(5) Knowledge of laws and regulations applicable to conducting initial case reviews, annual reviews, and discharge hearings, including the rights of victims, witnesses, and wards.

(6) Factors influencing ward lengths of stay and ward recidivism rates and their relationship to one another.