(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, a county probation department may utilize continuous electronic monitoring to electronically monitor the whereabouts of persons on probation, as provided by this chapter.

(b) Any use of continuous electronic monitoring pursuant to this chapter 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 probation.

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

(d) For purposes of this chapter, “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 formal probation who are identified as requiring a high level of supervision.

(e) The Legislature finds that continuous electronic monitoring has proven to be an effective risk management tool for supervising high-risk persons on probation 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. 1. Effective October 4, 2005.)