Bill > AB15

This bill establishes the California Homicide Victims' Families' Rights Act, which creates a formal process for families of victims to request a review of open unsolved homicide cases. Under this legislation, a designated person (such as an immediate family member or their legal representative) can submit a written application to a law enforcement agency to review an unsolved homicide that occurred after January 1, 1990, and at least three years prior to the application. The agency must then conduct a comprehensive case file review within 120 days (with a possible 60-day extension), examining investigative steps, potential witness interviews, physical evidence, and forensic testing to determine if new investigative leads could be developed. If the review suggests that a reinvestigation would be productive, the agency is required to conduct a new investigation, focusing on developing leads about potential suspects. The bill limits each case to one review and one reinvestigation at a time and mandates that the agency provide periodic updates to the family. If no new leads are found, the case cannot be reviewed again for five years unless significant new evidence emerges. The bill also includes provisions to protect ongoing investigations and personal privacy, and acknowledges that the state may need to reimburse local agencies for the costs of implementing this new requirement.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB15