SB 834: Criminal records: relief.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law, subject to an appropriation, requires the Department of Justice, on a monthly basis, to review the records in the statewide criminal justice databases and identify persons who are eligible for automatic conviction record relief. Under existing law, a person is eligible for automatic conviction record relief if the person meets certain requirements, including that it does not appear, based upon information available in the Department of Justice’s record, that the person is currently serving a sentence of an offense and there is no indication of pending criminal charges.

This bill would require, in determining whether there is a pending criminal charge based on the department’s records, the department to conclude that there is no indication of pending criminal charges if at least 3 years have elapsed with no new activity related to that record.

Existing law, subject to an appropriation, on a monthly basis, requires the department to electronically submit a notice to the superior court having jurisdiction over the criminal case and inform the court of all cases for which a complaint was filed and for which relief was granted pursuant to the provisions above. Existing law, for any certain record retained by the court, prohibits the court from disclosing information concerning a conviction granted relief pursuant to specified provisions, including the above provisions, to any person or entity, in any format, except to the person whose conviction was granted relief or a criminal justice agency.

This bill would require local summary criminal history information provided by the court to any recipient to include notes for any entries for which relief has been granted indicating that relief has been granted pursuant to the above provisions and listing the date the court received notice from the department. The bill would require this note to be included in all local criminal databases maintained by the court.

This bill would also require a court, upon the request of the subject of a record granted relief, to furnish a certificate of disposition confirming the court’s receipt of notification and compliance with a grant of relief for a specified record granted relief under the above provisions.

By placing additional duties on court staff, this bill would create a state-mandated local program.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. August 29, 2025August 29 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.
2. August 20, 2025August 20 set for first hearing. Placed on APPR. suspense file.
3. July 2, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 1.) (July 1). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
4. June 16, 2025Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
5. June 5, 2025In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
6. June 4, 2025Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 29. Noes 10. Page 1497.) Ordered to the Assembly.
7. May 23, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
8. May 23, 2025From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 5. Noes 1. Page 1214.) (May 23).
9. May 16, 2025Set for hearing May 23.
10. May 5, 2025May 5 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
11. April 25, 2025Set for hearing May 5.
12. April 23, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 1. Page 842.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.