Bill Sponsor
California Assembly Bill 2521
Session 20232024
Criminal procedure: confidentiality and DNA testing.
Active
Active
Passed Assembly on May 2, 2024
First Action
Feb 13, 2024
Latest Action
May 15, 2024
Origin Chamber
Assembly
Type
Bill
Bill Number
2521
State
California
Session
20232024
Sponsorship by Party
Republican
Author
Assembly Votes (2)
Summary
Existing law, in the trial of a capital case or specified murder cases, authorizes an indigent defendant, through the defendant's counsel, to request the court for funds for the specific payment of investigators, experts, and others for preparation or presentation of the defense. Existing law requires the fact that an application has been made to be confidential and the contents of the application to be confidential. Existing law provides that this confidentiality does not preclude any court from providing the Attorney General with access to documents protected by these provisions when the defendant raises an issue on appeal or collateral review where the recorded portion of the record relates to the issue raised. This bill would, instead, provide that this confidentiality does not preclude any court from providing the prosecuting agency representing the state in the proceeding with that access. Existing law authorizes a person who was convicted of a felony and is currently serving a term of imprisonment to make a written motion for performance of forensics deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing. Existing law requires the DNA testing, if granted by the court, to be conducted by a laboratory that is mutually agreed upon by the district attorney in a noncapital case, and the Attorney General in a capital case, and the person filing the motion, as specified. This bill would instead require that DNA testing to be conducted by a laboratory that is mutually agreed upon by the district attorney or Attorney General and the person filing the motion, regardless of the type of case.
Actions (8)
05/15/2024
Senate
Referred to Com. on PUB S.
05/02/2024
Senate
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
05/02/2024
Assembly
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 73. Noes 0.)
04/25/2024
Assembly
Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.
04/24/2024
Assembly
From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (April 23).
03/04/2024
Assembly
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
02/14/2024
Assembly
From printer. May be heard in committee March 15.
02/13/2024
Assembly
Read first time. To print.
Sources
Record Created
Feb 14, 2024 12:20:21 PM
Record Updated
May 16, 2024 12:22:34 PM