(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation may utilize continuous electronic monitoring to electronically monitor the whereabouts of persons on parole, as provided by this article.

(b) Any use of continuous electronic monitoring pursuant to this article shall have as its primary objective the enhancement of public safety through the reduction in the number of people being victimized by crimes committed by persons on parole.

(c) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this article to specifically expand the authority of the department acting pursuant to this article to utilize a system of continuous electronic monitoring that conforms with the requirements of this article.

(d) (1) For purposes of this article, “continuous electronic monitoring” may include the use of worldwide radio navigation system technology, known as the Global Positioning System, or GPS. The Legislature finds that because of its capability for continuous surveillance, continuous electronic monitoring has been used in other parts of the country to monitor persons on parole who are identified as requiring a high level of supervision.

(2) For purposes of this article, “department” means the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

(e) The Legislature finds that continuous electronic monitoring has proven to be an effective risk management tool for supervising high-risk persons on parole who are likely to reoffend where prevention and knowledge of their whereabouts is a high priority for maintaining public safety.

(Added by Stats. 2005, Ch. 484, Sec. 2. Effective October 4, 2005.)