SF public defenders have ‘strong concern’ on gov’s approval of new conservatorship law

The San Francisco Public Defender’s Office recently expressed “strong concern” about Gov. Gavin Newsom’s approval of Senate Bill 43 — legislation critics say will make it easier for the government to detain individuals in locked facilities who are mentally ill against their will. 

SB 43, introduced by Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman, D-Stockton, changes state conservatorship law to expand the definition of when a person is “gravely disabled,” and can be involuntarily detained and conserved by authorities.