Bill Sponsor
California Assembly Bill 1959
Session 20232024
Innocence Commission Pilot Programs: Post-Conviction Justice Unit.
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in Assembly on Jan 29, 2024
First Action
Jan 29, 2024
Latest Action
Apr 17, 2024
Origin Chamber
Assembly
Type
Bill
Bill Number
1959
State
California
Session
20232024
Sponsorship by Party
Assembly Votes (1)
checkPassed on March 19, 2024
Motion Text
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Assembly Roll Call Votes
Summary
(1) Existing law provides for the prosecution of crimes by the district attorney of each county. Existing law establishes the office of the Attorney General to prosecute crimes at the state level and to provide technical assistance to local law enforcement, including district attorneys' offices. This bill, until January 1, 2029, would require the Attorney General to choose 3 counties in which to establish Innocence Commission Pilot Programs to further the district attorneys' commitment to justice, professional ethics, and integrity, and to effectuate the district attorneys' duty to prevent and rectify the conviction of innocent persons. The bill would require participating district attorneys' offices to establish an Innocence Commission, to review cases submitted to it to determine if a person is factually innocent, has been wrongfully committed, or should receive relief in the interest of justice, as specified. The bill would require participating district attorneys' offices to track specified metrics and to report them to the Attorney General's office quarterly. The bill would require the Attorney General's office to submit annual progress reports to the Legislature by January 31 of each year until 2029, as specified. (2) Existing law establishes the Department of Justice under the direction and control of the Attorney General, which is composed of the Office of the Attorney General and those other divisions, bureaus, branches, sections, or other units as the Attorney General may create within the department pursuant to certain law. This bill would establish in the Department of Justice a Post-Conviction Justice Unit. The bill would prescribe the duties of the unit as including, among other things, working in partnership with local district attorneys to conduct investigations and reviews aimed at resolving wrongful or other improper criminal convictions. The bill would require the unit to develop formal protocols and standards to implement these provisions by July 31, 2026.
Actions (11)
04/17/2024
Assembly
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.
03/19/2024
Assembly
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (March 19). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
03/12/2024
Assembly
Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.
03/11/2024
Assembly
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. Read second time and amended.
03/04/2024
Assembly
Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.
02/29/2024
Assembly
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. Read second time and amended.
02/27/2024
Assembly
Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.
02/26/2024
Assembly
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. Read second time and amended.
02/26/2024
Assembly
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
01/30/2024
Assembly
From printer. May be heard in committee February 29.
01/29/2024
Assembly
Read first time. To print.
Sources
Record Created
Jan 30, 2024 12:20:34 PM
Record Updated
Apr 18, 2024 12:20:12 PM