Bill > SB245

This bill amends Section 1203.4b of the Penal Code to modify the process for individuals who successfully participated in California Conservation Camp programs, county incarcerated individual hand crews, or institutional firehouse programs to seek relief from their criminal convictions. The bill requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and county authorities to report biannually (instead of monthly) to the Department of Justice about individuals who have completed these programs. The Department of Justice must then evaluate these reports to determine if the defendants are eligible for conviction relief. While the bill previously required the Department of Justice to file a petition on behalf of eligible defendants upon request, the amended version now only requires the department to notify eligible defendants of their potential relief. The bill also prohibits individuals who have had their criminal pleadings dismissed under these provisions from being denied emergency medical technician certification or firefighter licensing solely based on their previous arrest or conviction history. Additionally, the bill maintains existing exemptions for certain serious crimes like murder, rape, and sex offenses that would disqualify an individual from seeking this relief. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill imposes state-mandated costs, local agencies would be reimbursed according to existing statutory procedures.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB245